Cap'n Snowy - This was a great essay. In terms of use of snuffer, we use a sock on the aspinn for our 50' cutter and the only issue I have is that you need to be careful/methodical with sheets, leads and a clean hoist of the sail in the sock prior to flying. Up and flying clear, the snuffing runs quite smoothly - just make sure your snuffing
line is clean and not twisted or around the sail (which would preclude a clean hoist.) In fresh air, run down, blanket the aspinn behind the main and she'll snuff well.
2 points - I replaced the fuzzy braided snuffer
line with a stronger synthetic and have found that moving the sheets lead forward (snatch block) helps in running to get the shoulders of the aspinn up and drawing.
Go get 'em.