So glad to hear I am not the only one this has happened to! It amazes me what the jib sheets can do. In addition to the lost cowls, those darned sheets grabbed the winch handle I keep at the mast and threw that overboard - and most memorably once self-tied an almost perfect hitch on the jib halyard cleat!
I also use the Nicro Fico, small in the bow, taller amidships. It irritates me that the plastic they use yellows and goes bumpy within a couple of seasons, but with my creative sheet tangling I won't risk anything more pricey.