1 up beating to wind is all about 'feel'. It's got to be as you don't have any jib tell tales or crew to tell you when you are pinching. Some solo helms like to go higher and slightly slower, others go lower and slightly faster. The very best seem capable of doing both (high & fast) but they are paid to do so! If I were you Gill the next time you sail solo just alter your mast rake slightly further forward and then you might not get that horrible heavy weather helm feeling. Or just let off some tension in your top 2nd & 3rd battens which is a little less time consuming (not sure how well it would work).
