I live alone (apart from a cat and he's terrible crew) on a 70ft boat.
I think the thing is to take it slowly and get as much help as you can when you get to locks. I rely 100% on centre lines, sometimes, if its a dodgy high climb out of a lock I'll get the boat moving into the lock put it in neutral, climb up the stairs by the side of the lock with the centre line and then stop it at the top.
The main thing is to keep evaluating every situation.
1. Is this the safest way I can do this.
2. What are my escape routes/assistance options if this goes wrong?
3. Do action
4. Goto 1
I think really I have to say it's experience, If you have a bigger boat it's harder to handle and things are more likely to go wrong, I can't just turn Taf anywhere and some mooring holes are especially dodgy, increased by idiots mooring in the winding hole.
Bow fender is essential, and if it's low enough you can put the boat against the side to turn.