Sailing (especially singlehanded) in significant waves

[Vtonian]

Now that I think of it, there may be another dimension to this tacking single handed: the characteristics of your boat. My Tartan 37 weighs much more than what my Ericson 32-200 and seems to be very different in a single handed tack. The Ericson is a sort of dinghy and squirrelly when tacking (which would be very nice around the buoys racing with a crew), but the Tartan's mass and stability maintains her speed and direction better so the tacks come off much better. I would guess that those of with the longer, heavier Ericsons might have a different experience. The mass and design of your particular boat might matter in choosing your technique.

The E38 is sprightly too, I have to be on the top of my game to snap a clean tack single handed. I'm finding that a little wheel brake, a slightly slower turn and anticipating the course correction a little before 90deg leaves me just enough time to sheet in before flogageddon. Assuming I've prepped the lines well and not snared my foot...