Abstract: An autonomous watercraft race course system using automated buoys, sensors, and a race course application for autonomously setting up, starting, conducting, and scoring a race. The race can be any type of race conducted on or near water. In a preferred embodiment the race is a sailing race, however, it is within the scope of this invention for the race to include races for power boats, personal water craft (i.e., jet ski), waterskiing, wake boarding or surfing and over water aircraft races.

Abstract: An autonomous tiller unit for retrofitting a manually drivable outboard. The autonomous tiller unit includes a helm unit having a drive wheel connected to a transmission that is driven by a helm motor. The helm motor is a bidirectional motor with an output that connects to the transmission. The transmission includes one or more gears that rotate the drive wheel. There is a power connection to the helm unit for supplying power to drive the helm motor. Also, the power connection there is a signal connection to the helm unit to provide one or more control signals to control rotation of the drive wheel. Connected to a portion of the manually driven outboard is an outboard driven wheel. A belt is connected between the drive wheel and the driven wheel. Rotational force of the drive wheel is transferred through the belt to cause rotation of the driven wheel.

Abstract: An autonomous watercraft race course system using automated buoys, sensors, and a race course application for autonomously setting up, starting, conducting, and scoring a race. The race can be any type of race conducted on or near water. In a preferred embodiment the race is a sailing race, however, it is within the scope of this invention for the race to include races for power boats, personal water craft (i.e., jet ski), waterskiing, wake boarding or surfing and over water aircraft races.