Eric,

I'm still learning the uni/spi game, but here's a little bit of how I do it....

Hoist-ease traveler 6 inches, point the boat dead down, leave the tiller to it's own devices and hoist like a fiend, grab spin sheet, move back on the tramp, and steer up as far as you dare!

Trim/Steering - I typically steer to the heel, trying to keep the hull just off the water and sheet the spi appropriately. I've put 3 sets of tell tales on the spi, which is VERY helpful. If it's blowing, I usually get on the trap and use my legs to sheet...ie, stand up to sheet in, crouch to ease. I normally don't mess with the main at all once I get going...Probably not optimal, but I'm not good enough to steer, sheet the spi and screw with the main. No jib by myself, but if I have crew, I get them on the trap, let them deal with spi and I stay on the hull handling main and jib.

Hope that helps...will be interested to hear the methods of others madness.

Jeff.