The biggest challenge I've found is hoisting and dousing sails
single-handed.
It's not much of problem when at the mooring and the boat naturally
heads into the wind.
But for other hoisting/dousing situations I appreciate:
- a reliable motor and autopilot to point upwind
- hanked headsails - no foil
- boomkicker as topping lift for boom
One mainsail is equipped with slugs on the luff so it's easy for a
person to hoist without having to feed boltrope into track. Dousing
is also easier - and safer in a stiff breeze - as the luff stays
attached to the mast (like hanks on the jib).