When an automatic course-keeping is concerned , as is quite popular in modern navigation, the closed-loop steering system consists of autopilot device, power unit(or telemotor unit), steering gear, magnetic or gyro compass and ship dynamics. In order to estimate steering system of ship in open seas, we need to know the characteristics of each component of the system and also to know the characteristics of disturbance to ship dynamics. Calculation methods of irrgular disturbances are based on the linear superposition principle. In this paper, for the purpose of evaluation of automatic steering of ships , the influences of linear control constants of autopilot on propulsive energy loss are investigated bya performance index is introduced from the viewpoint of energy saving. Numberical calculations are carried out for an are carrier and for a fishing boat in multi-directional waves.