I've sailed most of my cat sloops uni at one point or another. I fond that it's usually just fine, and a viable way to sail the boat short handed or in big breeze. My H-18 and N-6.0 worked great that way (N-20 has as well), my H-20 not so much. The H-18 I'd single hand in decent wind with the jib furled upwind, then unfurl it for downwind. The 6.0 we'd put the jib away in heavy stuff, sailed fine. One hint - check your mast rake. You'll probably want minimal rake for this to work right on your boat. And yes, when you tack, let out a bunch of sheet. Then let out some more. You really need to make sure the boat is moving on the new tack before you sheet back in, and even then don't do it too fast.