Overview

The Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot is an autopilot system built for steering a small gasoline kicker outboard and keeping your boat on a set heading or along a route while you troll or cruise at slow speed. It connects into a NMEA 2000 network so you can control it from a helm control (when included) or from compatible Garmin helm electronics on the same network.

Power is handled through the ECU, which accepts 11.5 to 30 Vdc (common on both 12 V and 24 V systems) and uses a 40 A blade-type fuse. The CCU, ECU, and steering actuator are rated IPX7 for incidental water exposure, and the steering actuator installs through the motor tilt tube as part of the steering linkage, which is why tilt tube material and condition matters for long-term performance.

Key features

• Made for boats with small gasoline outboard motors up to 20 horsepower
• Heading hold and route steering when integrated with your helm navigation source over NMEA 2000
• ECU input voltage range of 11.5 to 30 Vdc (supports typical 12 V and 24 V DC systems) with a 40 A blade-type fuse
• CCU, ECU, and steering actuator rated IPX7 for incidental exposure to water
• Steering actuator installs in the motor tilt tube, and a stainless steel tilt tube is required to avoid internal rust that can bind the actuator
• Floating handheld remote with a sunlight-readable screen for day-to-day control, including quick throttle adjustments like dropping to idle when you need it
• Control options vary by package: GHC 20, GHC 50, or no dedicated autopilot instrument when you already run control from a compatible Garmin chartplotter

Variants

This autopilot is offered in multiple configurations, mainly based on the helm control you want at the dash and whether a stainless steel tilt tube is bundled.

Across the range, the key differences are the included autopilot instrument (none, GHC 20, or GHC 50) and the presence of a stainless steel tilt tube. The stainless steel tilt tube option matters on motors where the existing tilt tube is not stainless, since the steering actuator must be installed in stainless steel.

• 010-00705-95: Autopilot instrument not included. This configuration is set up and controlled through a compatible Garmin chartplotter on the same NMEA 2000 network.
• 010-02794-09: Autopilot instrument: GHC 50. This adds a dedicated helm control at the console with a touchscreen interface for autopilot control.
• 010-02794-10: Autopilot instrument: GHC 50; includes stainless steel tilt tube. This bundles the dedicated helm control plus a stainless steel tilt tube for installations where the existing tilt tube is not stainless.
• 010-00705-94: Autopilot instrument: GHC 20. This provides a dedicated autopilot display at the helm for control and setup.
• 010-00705-96: Autopilot instrument not included; includes stainless steel tilt tube. This is suited to helm setups that control via compatible Garmin chartplotters while still bundling the stainless tilt tube needed on certain motors.

Compatibility and fit

This system is meant for kicker outboards with a tiller handle and a standard tilt tube, since the steering actuator mounts through the tilt tube and links to the tiller arm. If your motor has a tiller lock mechanism, it can interfere with actuator movement and typically needs to be removed before installation.

Tilt tube material is a real fit check. The steering actuator must be installed in a stainless steel tilt tube, and non-stainless tilt tubes can develop internal rust that can seize the actuator over time. If the boat does not already have a stainless steel tilt tube installed, a stainless replacement tilt tube is required.

Installation and setup

Plan the installation around where the core components will live: the CCU is mounted in a non-submerged location, often closer to the boat centerline to keep it away from heavy vibration and magnetic interference. The system is tuned to your boat dynamics during setup using dockside and on-water calibration steps so it tracks cleanly at the speeds you actually troll.

If your package does not include a dedicated helm control, the CCU needs to be on the same NMEA 2000 network as a compatible Garmin chartplotter for configuration and control. When a helm control is included, it serves as the dedicated autopilot interface at the dash.

Electrical and network integration

The ECU runs from 11.5 to 30 Vdc and is protected by a 40 A blade-type fuse, which is worth confirming when you are planning the power feed, breaker, and wire runs. The CCU ties into the NMEA 2000 backbone for data and control, and a switched NMEA 2000 power feed helps prevent network devices from drawing down the battery when the boat is off.

Use on board

Most owners add a kicker autopilot for long trolling passes, holding a steady line across current, or keeping the boat tracking while the crew is busy setting lines or working fish. It is a good match for anglers who run a kicker for hours at low RPM and want the boat to stay on course without babysitting the tiller.