Re racing and sailing a spin solo, here are some thoughts; some related to BlueJ and how she is set up. But they are generally universal.
Soloing is really three things:
Setup
Playbook
Execution
Setup
The better the setup is, the better everything works. The key setup criteria for solo/racing is being able to drive while doing the widest range of tasks. On modern boats designed for soloing, its why you see a tiller with and extension, an end-boom mainsheet/traveler and sheet winches close at hand. A wide cockpit adds stability downwind, and allows you to drive with your (limited) human ballast placed best. But obviously you need to work with what you got. Nothing against wheel boats, but it's very hard to drive a wheel and do ANYTHING else.
In the picture below, you can see the ST2000 AP, but also the TillerClutch and line. The TillerClutch is absolutely key if you have a tillerboat; its like a wheel lock on a wheel. Flick on and flick off. The Davis Tiller Tamer is not in the same league. If you have and can use a AP, get the remote if one is available. The Raymarine one (S100) is OK, but nowhere as good as the NKE one for sailing. The NKE one will also turn the boat head to wind if you MOB, a potentially lifesaving feature.
Just in front of the tiller is the mainsheet and traveler. Placed here allows trimming while driving from either rail, and also easy jibing by throwing the mainsheet over while steering with you knees.
The winches on the side decks are for 1) spin sheets, and 2) jib sheets when cross trimming the headsail. Having them here again allows you to drive while trimming and maneuvering.
At the companionway are the jib sheets (when not cross trimmed) and ALL the control lines and halyards. ALL. Unless there is an issue, I never have to leave the cockpit to do any maneuver. Most I can do from behind the traveler. If I do have to come forward of the traveler, I can either 1) take the tiller with me with the extension 2) lock it momentarily with the TillerClutch. Per the playbook, no action north of the traveler takes more than 15 seconds. If a control line does not come back to here, or a trim control (like jib cars) do not have a control line, run them. BlueJ has like 20 lines that come back, but then I never need to go forward.
Like all modern boats BlueJ flys only a non-overlapping jib as a headsail, and even if you boat normally flies a bigger headsail you should think about limiting your soloing to a jib. Reasons.
1) It means the main is the primary trimming sail, and that is usually close to the driver. Again, drive while trimming.
2) Its generally more manageable, and easier for one person to see around.
3) The key one; you never have to worry about it in maneuvers. Leave it up, leave it set; backwind it with a tack/jibe and it will not care. Tack it after the boat comes around if need be. Genoas get caught on spreaders.
Playbook
Actually document step by step EVERY possible maneuver. Really, write them down. BlueJ has a crewed Playbook, and a solo playbook. Have at least two jibes (inside, outside), and three drops (windward clean, windward dirty, leeward dirty).
Execution.
Practice practice practice. Start in light winds, and then move into less comfortable breeze. First times out, bring someone that watches and enjoys the day unless really needed. 90% of solo spin sailing in the confidence you have in yourself in a maneuver. That is something that is earned over time and reps. You have to KNOW whats going to happen when you take each step.
Remember and take advantage of the lower apparent wind speed when the kite is up, but remember that all of that changes when the kite comes down, and even more so when you turn into the wind!
