Scope of project Revised

In relation to the informative post by Jarrett, I will agree that we do not have to redesign the the yacht. However, in relation to the sail alone and its close "working Partners" in this case i mean the mast and riggin, we have have to determine what our inputs are, and that our outputs will be.

So talking of inputs and outputs, we know controlling the sail is the main goal and objective, hence we have to think to ourselves. What factors will make us want to adjust the sail?
It is true that all the wind, tide, current, depth and all the jobber jabber we do not have to analyse but we do have to find a way of linking the control of sail to the feedback of the other variables. Otherwise how do we know when the sail is to be adjusted if the wind direction is against us. (Something to consider).

Back to the issue of inputs and outputs, some of these are listed below. These outputs are what I think should be monitored. However, if you think otherwise, then make a comment or we can talk about it in the meeting.

Inputs

Wind speed
Tide
Depth
Wind direction

Output

Mast height (Up and Down)
Mast orientation ( 360 degree angle rotation)
Sail - (open or fold)

We just need to find a way of linking their information to a particular central processing unit which will will intend affect the output of the mast and sail together.


To conclude below is an extract i found about sailing

Sail trim:  In order to minimize the possibility of tangles and
fouled rigging, running rigging must be kept as simple as
possible with 1:1 sheets and control lines where possible.
Linear actuators, similar to those used for the autopilot tiller
control, will be used to adjust sheets.  Note that the duty cycle
of an actuator used in this way is extremely intermittent, and
their reliability should be far greater than that of the
actuators used for steering.  The mainsail will be controlled by
a single-part sheet and one or two actuators.  The jib will be
most likely be a conventional non-self tacking working jib, with
an actuator controlling each sheet independently.  This
arrangement will probably offer the least possibility of a
tangle, maintain good trim through the widest range of wind
speeds and angles, and work well with roller furling.  A single-
sheet arrangement with a boom or tacking track might still be an
attractive alternative, however.

Reefing:  The jib will be roller-furled around a rigid luff-
support spar.  Although luff-support reefing/furling systems are
subject to reliability problems on larger vessels, the approach
here will be to use a grossly oversize system.  There will be
only two positions for the jib: furled and unfurled.  The furling
spool will be driven by a continuous chain drive from a small
electric motor.

There will be one fairly deep area reef in the mainsail.  A
linear actuator will slack the halyard, tighten the reef clew,
and tighten the reef tack simultaneously.  No lacing lines will
be used.

In order to insure smooth working of the mainsail luff, steel
lugs will be sued at the inboard end of each batten.  A
lubrication system will introduce lubricant into the track.  In
moderate weather, the reef will be exercised about once a day to
prevent salt build-up or freezing of moving parts.

All actuators and servo-motors for trim and reefing will be
located either inside the main boom, or in a special shallow
compartment located just below the main deck, sealed from the
rest of the model's interior.  Because a small amount of water
will enter this compartment through the ports where control lines
penetrate the deck, here must be provision for draining or
pumping this water overboard.

Reference

http://www.well.com/~pk/ZHTAtechprop.html - ( VI Sailing)