Welcome to soloing. You will love it, so peaceful and everyoue on the boat knows exactly what you want done. I've solo'd many years on a H16 and a H17Sport. Working the jib solo is no big deal. Basically, you set it for the point of sail you plan to travel and cleat the sheet. You will mainly work the main sheet and tiller, adjusting the jib sheet as needed, but cleating between adjustments. For tacking, first perform the tack, then resheet the jib. This allows the back winded jib to help push the bows through irons. Once the main sail 'pops' then release and sheet the jib. When jibing, you can either pre release/set the jib just prior to the jibe or release and set the jib just after. If it is really blowing just furl the jib if you are overpowered. If you are having problems tacking in heavy wind with the jib furled, try letting out about a foot of jib and cleat it centered (use both port and starbord jib cleats). This will give you a little windage up front to help get the bows through the wind (sort of like a bow thruster). It will also disturb the wind over the main a little, but if it is blowing that hard, who cares. If you need a break, even in a blow, furl the jib, point the boat into the wind (get into irons), keep the main traveler centered with the main in, but not cleated and let go of the rudders. Also, keep your weight centered on the tramp. Your boat should stay in irons till you take it out.
