There are already existing systems on the market for automaticsteering of yachts. They only provide direction whilst using an engine to power the boat however. There is no mention of any system avialble for operating the sails of a racing yacht.


This link shows a wide range of marine equipemnt aimed at automatically controlling a boat.

http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1&SECTion=2&Page=733&Parent=5

Boat speed sensors

Dual speed sensor

"Non-contact magnetic sensors that measure the collapse of magnetic field due to the interruption by a ferrous gear tooth. These sensors provide two analog signal outputs (sine wave) that does not require an outside power source. This sensor is suitable for speed sensing with a range from 30 to 1000 inches per second with a target gear from one tooth per revolution to 32 pitch gear. "

This sensor could be implemented with the following steps;

1. Sensor(s) measure the boat speed (from the gear tooth etc)
2. the measured data is then sent to the CPU/Microcontroller, which then selects any adjustments required (done from pre-set favoured data) to the wind angle/heel angle or a combination of the two.
3. if any changes are required, then a siginal is sent to a rotational sensor (mast) to adjust the wind angle data to correct for the angle of the rotating mast.

Rate-Gyro Sensor - (Mast)

we could use a rate-gyro sensor to measure the motion of the masthead.

• this in turn cancels out errors in wind measurement induced by this motion.
• a benifit of this is a more responsive instrument system ( lowers damping values)

Sail Winch Servo

This is an example of the kind of technology that is currently being used to forfill one of the roles we have identified on the yacht.
It costs £14.99 per item, so is relatively cheap.
It can be viewed at:
http://www.servoshop.co.uk/index.php?pid=STEC125BB