A watercraft control apparatus comprising at least one control member (1) such as a steering wheel for operating at least one power-consuming unit or load (3) such as a rudder, which control member (1) is operably connected to said power-consuming unit or load (3) through a drive member (5) such as a hydraulic circuit that transmits a control force and/or displacement from said control member (1) to said power-consuming unit or load (3), wherein said control apparatus includes an actuator (2) for actuating said power-consuming unit (3) and further has one or more magnetic means for transducing said force and/or said displacement of said control member (1) into a corresponding electric/electronic signal for corresponding operation of said actuator (2) through an electronic control circuit (6).