Garmin unveiled SmartDrive on September 1, the first sailboat autopilot built around a brushless linear actuator with a built-in ECU. The system is designed for sailboats and catamarans up to 45 feet and a maximum displacement of 33,000 pounds, pairs with the Reactor 40 Corepack for up to 1,050 pounds of maximum thrust, and is priced at $3,499.99 on its own or from $4,499.99 as part of a Reactor 40 Sail Corepack bundle. The launch extends a run in Garmin's marine unit, where second-quarter 2026 revenue grew 14% year over year to $341.4 million and first-half revenue rose 13% to $696.4 million, at a 61% gross margin and 29% operating margin. That segment growth came alongside the Garmin Signal VHF marine radios and next-generation LiveScope 2 sonar, while overall second-quarter revenue hit a record $2.02 billion, up 11%, with operating income up 30% to $616 million. Not all units are keeping pace: outdoor segment revenue fell 2% in the quarter and auto OEM operating income was just $3 million, and hedge fund ownership in Garmin dropped from 56 funds to 37 even as short interest held at 1.92% of float.
Garmin LtdGarmin unveiled SmartDrive, its first sailboat autopilot built around a brushless linear actuator with built-in ECU, extending its marine product line.
