The way I have it worked out, the model will be on its own most of the time. The computer will have instructions to make good a desired course, and will trim sails, reef, and steer depending on a fairly simple computer algorithm, according to the wind speed and direction. There are number of ways to do it, I think. The actual data transmission can be very short - a few seconds should be plenty. And the interfacing to the various devices is no problem at all.
Most marine instruments use a common data protocall, and the specs are available.
Evidently our third passenger had lost interest in his newspaper quite some time ago. For the next five minutes, as we slowely traversed the east span of the bridge, Lee and the telemetry expert were engaged in a totally incomprehensible conversation. Not only were all of Lee's communications problems solved, but when they exchanged business cards she also got the name and phone number of a robotics expert who proportedly could design and somehow obtain inexpensive servo-motor and controler systems. I think one of the last obstacles is dissappearing. I was reminded of a very old joke.