Gallery: Sailing / The auto-helm The autopilot ...

The auto-helm The autopilot consists of a control box (to the left of the picture) wired to a drive bar with a motor inside it, which connects to the tiller and pushes it left and right. The box has buttons for left and right by ten degrees at a time, or one degree, and a built-in compass to keep course. You just set it up, press Auto, and the boat just keeps going in a straight line; steering consists of pushing the left and right buttons. You still have to handle the sails, though. Approaching the Golden Gate