Reactor 40 auto pilot -- which model works on cdory?

wa500

Has anyone installed a Reactor 40 autopilot into a C-dory 22? If so, which model did you use? They make specimens from $1200 to... $4k. Is the product the same over the years if I end up with a Craigslist special?

Can the Reactor 40 control throttle/trolling speed or is that asking too much?

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Fri May 19, 2023 8:54 am Post subject:

Here’s the model I used on my CD 25. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/640235/pn/010-00705-79
One of the best mods I invested in. Colby Smith installed the same one on his 22 and later in his 25. We both installed our own so it can be done if one is mechanically inclined. You do need to have hydraulic steering to start with. My previous 22 had cable steering.

I have a 9.9 kicker in addition to the main engine. We connected the two with a removable rod. That way the AP steers the kicker also. I have a wireless throttle controller for the kicker plus a remote controller for the Reactor 40.

Great for fishing.

The basic kits from Garmin do NOT come with hydraulic pumps or other parts for a complete install. You get what you pay for. I did buy mine with a rebuilt smart pump and saved a bunch of money. Also figure in that you may need a few hundred more $ for odds and ends.

Hope this helps……….

colbysmith · Posted: Mon May 22, 2023 1:09 am Post subject:

jkidd · Posted: Mon May 22, 2023 3:13 pm Post subject:

For throttle control for your kicker this is what I use.

https://www.controllking.com/

C-Wolfe · Posted: Mon May 22, 2023 5:05 pm Post subject:

I install the compact reactor 40 last year, so far I'm very happy with it for the way I use it but it definitely have limitations. I do not use it for fishing but I do use it with the kicker attach to the main, It tend to oversteer at first but it seems to learn and improve after a few minutes, that is with the kicker on a bracket all the way to port going 4-5 mph. It does great with main engines in just about any situation.

wa500 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 12:36 pm Post subject:

What about controlling the throttle on the main? Is it not possible to use the GPS speed (or water speed) to control trolling speed without manual adjustments? Or do you need to start and use the kicker for this?

jkidd · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 2:53 pm Post subject:

You can use the Control King to do it you would just need to make your own brackets to mount the servos. My new Suzuki has Troll control that lets you adjust idle speed by 100 rpm steps. You can also buy Model aircraft servos and control boards and make everything for cheap.

wa500 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 4:06 pm Post subject:

Is there a way to interface that to the reactor 40? The ideal is not only to have control hopefully also from the wireless remote so I can use it as a makeshift cockpit steering station or quickly slow down for a large wake, but also, the ability to maintain a very set speed while trolling based on nema data... Be that gps or water.

My motor is an old Honda 90 so it's just mechanical controls.

The digital control sound awesome but I'm not aware of any way to electronically signal the throttle control to the motor. Seems fairly closed.

jkidd · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 5:15 pm Post subject:

Throttle and steering are two different functions so my guess is that there would be two different controls. They can be at the helm or in the cockpit and hard wired. I had a MFD display in the cockpit for a while and I decided the 22 was to small to bother with it. I stand at the doorway and can see all my displays and control the boat within one or two steps. I guess it just depends on how much your willing to spend to make it work.