Hands-Free Navigation: Installing the Garmin Reactor 40 Autopilot

We upgrade the steering system with a Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot and SmartPump, then bleed the entire system using the specialized Marine Tech AMT0106 Bleed Kit.

The SmartPump Advantage

We chose the Garmin Reactor 40 with SmartPump for its intelligent flow rate. Unlike older pumps that run at a fixed speed, the SmartPump adjusts hydraulic pressure based on the boat's speed and sea conditions. This results in smoother course corrections and less battery drain.

Plumbing the Hydraulics

Installing an autopilot requires cutting into the boat's existing hydraulic steering lines. We installed "T" fittings to route fluid to the SmartPump, which acts as a second helm, electronically steering the engines. The placement of the CCU (Course Computer Unit) was also critical—it must be mounted in a location free from magnetic interference (away from speakers and high-current wires) to ensure the compass works correctly.

The Bleeding Process (Tool: AMT0106)

The #1 cause of autopilot failure is air in the lines. If there is air, the autopilot will "hunt" back and forth. To ensure a rock-solid system, we used the Marine Tech AMT0106 Hydraulic Steering Bleed Kit.

• This system connects to the helm and the bleed valves on the steering cylinder.
• It circulates fluid continuously, pushing air bubbles out and into a reservoir.
• Using this tool turned a frustrating two-person job into a quick, 10-minute solo operation.

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