Patent ID: 7186155

Claim:
An apparatus for controlling the rate of turning of a boat comprising: a central control unit; a heading sensing device which will provide the heading of said boat and is in predetermined electrical communication with said central control unit; a steering controller which will physically control the steering of said boat and is in predetermined electrical communication with said central control unit; and a steering device means which will provide a means for an operator to steer said boat and is in predetermined electrical communication with said central control unit; wherein said central control unit in conjunction with said steering device means and said heading sensing device calculates a steering signal which is predeterminedly electrically communicated to said steering controller and can turn said boat in the approximate direction and heading rate that is approximately proportional to the direction and rate that said steering device means is being operated by said operator and; wherein said central control unit in conjunction with said heading sensing device calculates said steering signal which is predeterminedly electrically communicated to said steering controller and can steer said boat approximately on the course that said boat was heading at approximately the time said steering device means ceased to be operated by said operator.