I thought I was the old sailor here but your 30 years beats my 20 years of sailing a Hobie 16. I agree with you. You have to practice single handing from out on the wire. I make sure the blocks on the main sheet are at an angle where I can easily release the sheet. I also turn the ratchet off when I am on the wire. I leave it on when I fly a hull and am not out on the wire. The ratchet creates drag that keeps the sheet from running out too fast. When I am out I keep the main sheet lying across my legs so it is in reach. I don't worry about the jib, just travel it in and cleat it before you go out. When the hull comes up, uncleat the sheet and hold onto it. Letting it out or pulling in controls how high the hull will rise. Though I never worry about falling off, I want there to be other boats around when I single hand.

Howard