O the F16 solo (when I keep count of the number of laps to be done) I find that after hoisting and I'll trim the spi a few times till I get good speed and then just leave the spi there and focus entirely on steering to maintain speed and not get into a collision with another boat. This seems to work rather well.

On my own boat I find that when singlehanding the accelleration can happen so quickly that you are often to late to sheet it in in time. Hence my method to find the sweet spot with good speed and focus entirely on not slowing and having to start all over again.

I agree with Jake, get rid of those spi telltales and develop the feel for spi sheeting. Or else just concentrate on the curling of the luff.

Also if your spi collapses to easily then your spi sheeting angle may be wrong. I've seen this many times now. The sheet pulls to much on the foot and not enough on the leech, this makes the luff very sensitive. Hoist the spi on a light air day (while pinning your boat to the ground) and sheet is properly, then tie a knot in the sheet and make a picture from the side and from some distance. Show it to me and I will immediately tell you if your sheeting angle is wrong.

With regard to F16 spi's, alot of sailmakers are have made the F16 spi's with the wrong clew corners needed the sheeting line to be repositioned. They are darn stubborn about it as we know of this issue for years now. The new Glaser series seems to have gotten the issue however and they appear to be correct straight out of the box.

Wouter