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.