I've also done a few spinny runs single handed...though it's tricker to steer, the sets/douses still go very smooth.

One thing I think might be different...our halyard/retrival ine is only just as long as it needs to be to have sufficient slack on the douse line so as not to distort the sail. Thus, when dousing, you really can't drop the sail too low without it going into the snuffer. I can see how you'd have more problems if this line has excess length.

Mike.