Letterbox douse

Alex asked me once about the letterbox takedown for a spinnaker.  The image below links to a UK Sailmakers article and video describing it. This takedown is considered safe for heavy wind conditions, and works for both symmetrical and asymmetrical spinnakers, but since the kite comes into the main companionway, it does require re-packing. 

The other takedown methods we have used and should have in our "toolbox" are the windward douse, leeward douse, and Mexican (or Kiwi) douse.