Overview

The Garmin Reactor 40 Steer-By-Wire Corepack for Volvo-Penta is a steer-by-wire autopilot core pack for boats with Volvo Penta IPS or sterndrive joystick steering systems (C3 or newer Volvo EVC systems). It ties into your helm electronics over NMEA 2000 and uses a solid-state 9-axis AHRS inside the course computer unit (CCU) to keep heading and attitude data steady when the boat is moving in a seaway.

The CCU is 91.4 mm in diameter, runs on 9 to 16 V through the NMEA 2000 network, and has a fully gasketed housing rated to IEC 529 IPX7. Depending on the configuration, autopilot control at the helm is handled by a dedicated Garmin autopilot instrument (GHC 50 or GHC 20) or through a compatible Garmin chartplotter.

Key features

• Built for Volvo Penta IPS and sterndrive joystick steering systems, with a Volvo IPS gateway and interconnect cable included for integration.
• Solid-state 9-axis AHRS in the CCU supports flexible mounting, including non-level orientations.
• CCU housing rated to IEC 529 IPX7, with a fully gasketed, high-impact plastic case for helm and bilge-area environments.
• NMEA 2000 networking for power and data (CCU power input 9 to 16 V), plus the backbone essentials included to get a small network up and running.
• Supports common powerboat and sailing steering modes when paired with a compatible chartplotter, including heading hold and step turns, plus wind hold and tack/jibe when paired with a wind sensor.
• Wireless control support through compatible Garmin devices when used with a compatible Garmin chartplotter or a GHC 50 autopilot instrument.

Variants

This corepack is offered with different helm-control options, depending on how you want to manage the autopilot from the cockpit or helm.

The steer-by-wire core components are consistent across the range, while the included autopilot instrument (GHC 50, GHC 20, or none) is what changes between configurations.

• 010-02794-06: Autopilot Instrument GHC 50. Adds a 5-inch WVGA touchscreen control head at the helm and supports sharing settings with other compatible Garmin devices on the boat.
• 010-00705-89: Autopilot Instrument GHC 20. Includes a dedicated helm controller with a 4-inch color display and NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 interface support.
• 010-00705-93: Autopilot Instrument not included. Intended for installs where autopilot control will be handled through a compatible Garmin chartplotter or a separately added control head.

What’s included

• Reactor 40 CCU (Course Computer Unit)
• Volvo IPS gateway
• Interconnect cable
• Buzzer
• NMEA 2000 drop cables (2 m)
• NMEA 2000 power cable
• NMEA 2000 T-connectors
• Male and female terminators
• Documentation
• Autopilot instrument (included or not included depending on configuration)

Installation and setup

Plan on mounting the CCU in a dry, protected location where it can stay secure under vibration. The solid-state sensor package supports flexible orientation, which helps when space is tight behind liners, inside consoles, or in equipment lockers.

Integration is built around the NMEA 2000 network and the included Volvo gateway and interconnect cable. After wiring, the system requires commissioning and calibration so steering response matches how your boat behaves at speed and in quartering seas.

Compatibility and on-board use

This package is a fit for vessels running Volvo Penta IPS or sterndrive joystick steering and looking to add autopilot control into a Garmin helm electronics setup. It is not meant for boats that need a hydraulic pump or mechanical drive unit to move the rudder.

It’s a practical match for cruising boats that spend long stretches on a heading, as well as anglers who want consistent course keeping while working lines. When paired with a compatible chartplotter, it also supports steering patterns used for trolling and search-style maneuvers.