SAILING VESSEL SELF-STEERING SYSTEM

An automatic steering system for marine vessels in which the main steering function is provided by a wind vane disposed at an adjusted angle with respect to the vessel's rudder which it controls by maintaining a balance between the wind pressure on the vane and the force on the rudder exerted by the water through which the vessel is moving, and in which a corrective function is provided by electric means controlled by a preset compass heading which is sensed to deliver corrections when the vessel deviates from that heading, such corrections changing said adjusted angle to restore equilibrium at the proper heading; the electronic circuitry including a feature whereby the vessel not only has its heading corrected after a deviation but is also brought back on its original course, and the steering system including alarm limits for alerting the crew to deviations exceeding a preset working range of the system.