Option to emphasize UI elements

[maturin]

In the heat of battle, relying on a minimalistic UI, there are two indicators that I constantly lose track of:

 

1. UI element indicating Manual/Auto yard control

2. Whether I am making headway or sternway

 

These are really freaking important to keep straight. I am often trying to fight at the same time as I tack, and miss the transition between progress ahead and progress astern. Therefore I neglect to switch over the rudder and end up impeding my progress. After I finish tacking, I often forget to re-enable auto-skipper, and end up try to turn downwind in manual. As a result, everyone sails circles around me until I realize my mistake.

 

Request: Optional UI feature to make make Manual Skipper and negative vessel speeds highlighted in red. I just need more eye-catching warnings that I have neglected something.