Handling performance of a vessel is greatly related with her steering characteristics which consist of two kinds of motion characteristics ; namely course stability and turning ability. The correct prediction of the qualities, especially the steering characteristics is as much important in ship handling as in ship design. It is the purpose of this paper to provide ships handlers better understanding of steering characteristics and then to help them in safe controlling and maneuvering of vessels presenting distinct inherent steering characteristic difference that lies between a fine-form vessel and full-form vessel. The authors calculated dynamic course stabilities of two kinds of ideal models, one of which represents a fine-form ship and the other a full-form ship, based on hydrodynamic data of forces and moments obtained by model tests in maneuvering tanks. The result of calculations indicated that a ship of full-form configuration has inhernet course instability. Though significant nonlinearties affect ship montions in maneuvers, application of linear theory is sufficient for prediction of the maneuvering characteristics of vessels on calm waters for handling reference.