Some time ago I had asked for suggestions on what was making my autopilot act up. Several suggestions were made. The other day I got to talking with a guy who adjusts compasses and he suggested that I find the sensor for my autopilot and see what's around it. Sure enough, I'd stored a tool box right behind the sensor. (I hadn't even known what that little black thing with the wire coming out of it was!) Anyway, I removed the tools. Also, by looking up the manual for the autopilot I found out how to swing this compass and also calibrate the autopilot compass with the magnetic one. It seems that this has done the trick. Next week, I'm supposed to sail out to the Farallone Islands. If you hear about a sailor who ended up in Japan when he was just trying to reach some islands a few miles offshore, then you'll know that I was mistaken!