The SmartDrive is Garmin's first sailboat autopilot built around a brushless linear actuator with the ECU integrated into the drive unit, plus a rudder feedback sensor. The integration removes the separate course computer box and much of the cabling of a conventional below-deck installation, and the form factor is a direct replacement for retrofit.

Garmin sizes the system for monohulls and catamarans up to 45 feet and 33,000 lb displacement, with up to 1,050 lb of maximum thrust in the Reactor 40 Sail Corepack configuration. The Corepack pairs the drive with a 9-axis AHRS course computer and the GHC 50 5-inch touchscreen display, and the system talks to Garmin multifunction displays over NMEA 2000. Sailing modes include wind hold and adjustable tack and gybe speeds with automatic response; control is also possible from a Garmin wireless remote, the APK 10 keypad, or select quatix watches.

Pricing is published: the standalone actuator lists at $3,499.99, and the Reactor 40 Sail Corepack with SmartDrive starts at $4,499.99. Garmin lists availability from September 2026.

Product imagery courtesy of Jukka via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0). Representative photograph..

Specifications

Specifications as published by the maker or the cited specification sources. Verify current details with the maker or a dealer before acting on them.

ActuatorBrushless linear, integrated ECU, rudder feedback sensor
Boat sizeUp to 45 ft / 33,000 lb displacement
Max thrustUp to 1,050 lb (Reactor 40 Corepack)
Course computer9-axis AHRS
DisplayGHC 50, 5 in touchscreen
IntegrationNMEA 2000 to Garmin MFDs
Standalone price$3,499.99
Corepack priceFrom $4,499.99
AvailabilitySeptember 2026

Sources

View at Garmin