Marine Dictionary & Glossary of Boating Terms

Autopilot

Similar Terms: Autohelm

Self-steering mechanical, electrical, and/or hydraulic system used to guide a vessel without real-time involvement from a person.  An autoilot is sometimes referred to as autohelm (technically autohelm is a Raymarine trademark). Most Marine Autopilot systems consist of several core elements including a Heading Sensor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), Drive Unit, Rudder Sensor, Mast Head Wind Sensor and a Remote Control.