Single-handed tacking

On my 12M tiller steered yacht it's tiller between legs, bend ze knees to adjust direction while tacking relatively slowly getting the loose new sheet in as far as possible as I go through the wind then final trim and back to the tea.
Otherwise it's press the pilot control buttons and leave the tiller for it to deal with while I deal with the sheets

Solo dip-pole gybing is a much bigger can of worms...
 
A light chain is positioned at right angles across the tiller and tensioned by bunjee cord. When going about, drop a chain link over a pin on the tiller (I use the autohelm pin). Simple and easy to engage or release or adjust... I sail single handed and I have used this system on all the boats I've owned
 
Might I suggest a tiller extension.
I often used a bungee cord with an eye in the middle to slip over the tiller. To hold it midship ish

When sailing single handed. Think or plan ahead breaking each step down to single actions.
Then do them one at a time.
I routinely sail single handed, my boats just an elderly average white boat with no special mods, it’s a handy to be able to sail on your own even with some crew.

Even when I’m not alone I sail single handed. My crew is often either busy barking at shitehawks or reading a book.

Most boats will putter along quite happily for a while in a straight line with tiller lashed or wheel brake on while you get set up to come about or gybe reef ect. Or many other little jobs you might feel like.

If mine won’t steer straight by itself. it’s because I have to much sail up and am having way to much fun.

If it’s a concern, as per another thread.
You could always consider heaving to.
 
Smaller boat with a rudder that won't stay centred if you take your hand off. Two eyes on the gunnels with a line that hooks onto the tiller with a wedge cleat. Line has bungee bits each side to the eyes. One just hooks the line over the cleat and it stays were you put it. Sort of variation on the rope and chain in #23, but lighter and less rattly.
 
I use bungee to return the rudder to centre / stop it going hard over during tack ,with cord loops on prussic knots each side of tiller that give a degree of adjustment .Same setup will often hold a course quite happily,obviously with balanced sails and the balanced rudder giving a light tiller.
 
I did a round the cans race recently while single handed on my Hunter 27. Not a problem as I have a tiller pilot.
The dam thing decided to give up the ghost just outside the harbour so I ended up with the tiller between my legs while tacking. Not easy but perfectly doable, as the others said break it into steps and it will be fine.
 
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