I had to make my back in dense fog about a month ago at dusk. No radar, and
if not for GPS, probably would have stayed out until it lifted a bit. I
never thought of the autopilot as a safety device, but you are right about
the disorienting effect of a lack of visual cues. The instant I look away
from the compass, the boats heading changes, and my sense of direction
fails. It still *feels* like I am going on the same course, even though it
is way off. I find that it takes a force of will to trust your instruments
when your gut is screaming something else.

Steve