2026 Comparison
4 autopilot computers (the brain, not the complete system) compared on equal terms: ecosystem integration, servo frequency, Wave mode (3D swell), polars. The ram / drive is not included — it is sized according to the rudder stock and must be ordered separately. Workshop recommendation by program.
Raymarine
925 € HT
Pour qui : Coastal cruising 30-40 ft sailboats, Raymarine ecosystem — computer only, ACU and ram to be added
View EV-1 EvolutionGarmin
699 € HT
Pour qui : Mixed sail + power cruising, sailboat ≤ 11 m — computer only, ECU and pump to be added
View Reactor 40B&G
1731 € HT
Pour qui : 40-50 ft sailboat, offshore cruising + IRC racing — processor only, actuator to be sized
View NAC-3B&G
2899 € HT
Pour qui : IRC racing, RORC — H5000 system CPU, actuator and sensors sold separately
View H5000 CPU2026 distributor prices excluding VAT in France. Control unit only — ram/drive, sensors, and labor not included.
| Criteria | Raymarine EV-1 | Garmin Reactor 40 | B&G NAC-3 | B&G H5000 CPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor price only (excl. VAT) | ~ 925 USD | ~ 699 USD | ~ 1,731 USD | ~ $2,899 |
| Scope (what is included in the price) | EVO sensor/computer only (separate ACU + ram) | Computer only (separate ECU + pump) | Computer only (separate ram + control unit) | H5000 system CPU — instrument processor + performance/racing autopilot (separate ram) |
| Update rate | 5 Hz | 5 Hz | 10 Hz | 10 Hz |
| Wave Mode (3D swell) | No | Adaptive | Yes | Yes (refined) |
| Integrated polars | No | No | Limited | Yes (import ORC) |
| Actuator / drive (sold separately) | Type 1/2/3 — depending on tiller | Garmin pump/ECU — depending on tiller | B&G T1/T2 — depending on tiller | T1/T2 hydraulic — depending on tiller |
| Native ecosystem | Axiom + EV-1 | GPSMAP + Reactor | H5000 + Zeus | H5000 full + WS720 |
| Target program | Coastal cruising | Mixed sail/power | Offshore comfort | IRC racing |
Coastal
The Garmin Reactor 40 Compact (€699 ex VAT) or the Raymarine EV-1 Evolution (€925 ex VAT) cover coastal use. These are standalone computers: you must add the ECU/ACU and, above all, the ram dimensioned for the displacement. Garmin wins slightly for sail-and-power use, Raymarine for existing Axiom integration.
Computer only: €699-925 ex. VAT. Complete installed system (computer + ECU/ACU + ram + sensors): ~ €4,200-5,000 ex. VAT
View Reactor 40Offshore
The B&G NAC-3 (€1,731 ex-VAT, controller only) is our standard offshore autopilot workshop choice. Essential Wave mode in rough seas, H5000 / WS320 integration, flawless helmsman ↔ autopilot reversibility. The ram is sized and ordered separately (B&G T1/T2 hydraulic depending on the rudder and displacement).
Calculator only: €1,731 ex. VAT. Complete installed system: ~ €6,500-8,000 ex. VAT (actuator + sensors + installation)
View NAC-3The manufacturer states a displacement of 7.5 t, so we select Type 1. Except the boat sails with water + fuel + crew + gear = 9.5 t. The Type 1 struggles, overheats, and slams. Always size components based on actual sailing weight.
The Type 3 electromechanical autopilot costs ~ €1,000 less than the T2 hydraulic autopilot. However, in rough seas at 25 knots, the electromechanical unit saturates, the autopilot cuts out, and you’re at the helm 18 hours a day. The real savings are negative.
Raymarine chartplotter + Garmin autopilot = no autopilot control from the Axiom, Garmin remote control required at the cockpit. Always choose an autopilot from the same brand as the main chartplotter (or Madintec, which is compatible with all).
These 4 prices are for computers only (the brain). A fully operational autopilot also requires a drive sized for the sailed displacement (often the most expensive component), sometimes a power unit (ACU/ECU), and sensors. Budget for the complete system, not just the computer — see the autopilot & drive catalogue.
4 questions to identify the autopilot suited to your sailboat and program.
Yes, via the MAD Controller Madintec interface. The Gyropilot 3 controls the B&G hydraulic T1/T2 ram without issue. This is NKE’s open flexibility.
Heavy. The CPU, wind sensors, and displays must be replaced. Allow 15–25 days of yard work + €8,000–12,000 ex. VAT for parts. Prefer migration between two winter seasons.
NKE Mode Wave has been the benchmark since 2010, fine-tuned over decades of IMOCA racing. B&G caught up in 2022 with its own algorithm. In practice, NKE maintains a slight edge in rough tropical seas, while B&G excels in the English Channel/short-sea conditions.
Both systems accept ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) import in .pol format. Manual editing is recommended after each sail to fine-tune calibration (correcting real bias). NKE Toplink and B&G apps both save data by point of sail and conditions.
The autopilot draws 2-4 A continuously while cruising, 4-8 A in heavy offshore racing conditions. Over 14 days, this amounts to 1 000-3 000 Ah cumulative. Plan for a minimum of 400 Ah usable capacity dedicated to the autopilot and essential services. See our article on lithium battery sizing.
Skysat distributes Raymarine, Garmin, B&G/Navico, NKE Marine Electronics, and Madintec. Comparator based on 120+ autopilot installations 2018-2026, cruising and racing. 2026 distributor indicative HT prices — calculators only, ram/drive and sensors sold separately.
