A bungee cord on the tiller is probably the biggest single thing that has helped me with singlehanding.

It allows me to raise sails, go below and search for lunch, or go forward and raise the pole without worrying too much about steering. When the sails are balanced, the boat will sail for quite some time without getting off course, as this video shows :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2kV1d4WvaU

Not as good as an autopilot, but much better than nothing.

J

:: Hi all,
::
:: I'm a relatively new tuna owner, and have been doing
:: great with double handed sailing. I'll bring an
:: inexperienced friend aboard to hold the tiller while I
:: raise the sails, and to work the jib and main sheets
:: when sailing.
::
:: My question is for those who have the dual main sheets
:: across the top and sides of the cabin. How do you single
:: hand with that configuration?! I am not ready to start
:: re-arranging my running rigging or install new winches
:: and blocks. Am I out of luck? Sometimes a guy just wants
:: to sail alone, ya hear? (and a single-hand race sounds
:: really fun also)
::
:: Thanks!
::
:: Oh, does anyone have any spare jibs? I'd be looking to
:: buy an 80% or storm jib for those bigger scary days.