the main was prevented, reefed most likely(if it was up at all). I doubt I wouldn't find a better angle broad reaching though so, for safety and motion, I wouldn't need to do much more than let the AP steer. So an occasional check with either a flashlight, spreader lights would suffice. All I need is someone/thing to hold a compass course, I can take it from there for hours at a time without adjusting sails. Upwind, it's even easier.

At night, especially by myself, I try to prevent anything at all that may require I go ondeck before the sunsets, even at a large cost of speed. I'm a wimp too and don't like emergencies at night.

I don't spend anytime behind the helm to speak of, especially sailing overnight. My cockpit is too exposed back there for me , I'm under the dodger 99% of the time, and our few instruments are in the companionway. I can easily see the sails overhead and around the dodger.

I feel I'm safer with a chartplotter for instance, but I know many with more experience than I who still pilot only on the chart using a GPS to locate themselves. That's prudent for them and me.

I don't have AIS but I may in the future. These days I'm not out overnight that much nor do I spend much time in shipping areas so it would be a marginal help for me.