Of course, if
singlehanding, the problems of getting below preclude trying it for even short periods in many situations. It's hard enough to figure out how to take a p**s when there's no one else to take the
wheel. Therefore, if you singlehand at all, you should rig the
boat to be able to accomplish
navigation tasks, no matter how crude, in the cockpit. I have a nice large table below but can rarely use it unless at
anchor. On my "on
deck checklist" I have all the stuff needed to use my paper
charts should
electronics fail. I also have every possibility, every possible alternate course entered into the plotter ahead of time so I don't need to fumble around trying to enter waypoints or courses while trying to focus on not jibing, or avoiding that tanker in the distance.