Garmin has expanded its marine technology range with four new product announcements covering onboard audio, instrumentation and sailboat autopilot systems.
The September launches include new JL Audio A60 marine head units, JL Audio M200 speakers and subwoofers, the GMI 40 multipurpose marine instrument and SmartDrive, a new linear-drive autopilot system designed for sailing boats and catamarans.
JL Audio A60 Head Units
The new JL Audio A60 and A60-H marine head units offer four-zone audio control with built-in Digital Signal Processing (DSP), Bluetooth LE streaming and Garmin's Easy Tune functionality through the Garmin Audio app.
Sound control: The new JL Audio A60 marine head unit combines four-zone audio with built-in Digital Signal Processing, Bluetooth LE streaming and a high-resolution colour display. Photo: Garmin
Hidden sound: Garmin’s JL Audio A60-H offers the same four-zone marine audio capability in a compact hideaway design intended to reduce clutter at the helm. Photo: Garmin
The A60 features a 2.95-inch colour display, while the A60-H is a hideaway version designed to integrate with compatible Garmin multifunction displays and reduce helm equipment. Both support NMEA 2000 networking and wireless control through compatible Garmin quatix marine smartwatches and the Garmin Audio app. They also include a built-in DAB tuner.
At the helm: Garmin’s new JL Audio A60 brings marine audio control alongside compatible navigation electronics, with four separate audio zones and NMEA 2000 connectivity. Photo: Garmin
Out of sight: The hideaway JL Audio A60-H is designed for discreet installation while integrating with compatible Garmin multifunction displays for onboard audio control. Photo: Garmin
The A60 and A60-H are priced at €499.99.
New JL Audio M200 Range
Garmin has also introduced the JL Audio M200 series of marine speakers and subwoofers. The range includes 6.5-inch and 7.7-inch speakers with power handling up to 60 watts RMS, plus a 10-inch, 250-watt RMS subwoofer.
Making waves: The new JL Audio M200 marine range includes 6.5- and 7.7-inch speakers alongside a 10-inch subwoofer, with customisable LED illumination. Photo: Garmin
RGB LED illumination is built in, while connections to Garmin Spectra or Lumishore lighting controllers let you manage the lighting from compatible chartplotters or marine head units. Designed specifically for marine use, the units feature corrosion-resistant connections and are tested for salt fog and sunlight exposure.
Prices for the M200 range run from €179.99 to €299.99.
GMI 40 Marine Instrument
For sailors and powerboaters, Garmin's new GMI 40 is a 4.3-inch touchscreen multipurpose instrument providing real-time vessel information on a high-resolution colour display.
The instrument connects to compatible onboard equipment through NMEA 2000 and Garmin BlueNet networks, with wireless connectivity available for gWind sensors, remote controls and compatible quatix smartwatches.
Data at hand: Garmin’s new GMI 40 uses a 4.3-inch touchscreen to provide sailors and powerboaters with real-time instrumentation data from compatible onboard systems. Photo: Garmin
Garmin is offering the GMI 40 either separately or in bundles with wind, depth, speed and temperature transducers. An adapter plate is also available for boats upgrading from the existing GMI 20.
The GMI 40 costs €699.99, with instrument and transducer bundles ranging from €1,199.99 to €2,099.99.
SmartDrive Autopilot for Sailboats
Garmin's most sailing-specific announcement is SmartDrive, a new autopilot actuator for monohulls and catamarans up to 45 feet with a maximum displacement of 15 tonnes. SmartDrive combines a brushless linear actuator, built-in electronic control unit and rudder feedback sensor in a system capable of producing up to 1,050lb of maximum thrust.
Garmin says the design reduces the number of external components and cables required, simplifying both new installations and retrofits.
Steering ahead: Garmin’s new SmartDrive autopilot is designed for sailboats and catamarans up to 45 feet, using a brushless linear actuator with a built-in ECU and rudder feedback sensor. Photo: Garmin
SmartDrive can be purchased separately or as part of the Reactor 40 Sail Corepack. The complete system includes wind hold, adjustable tack and gybe speeds, and automatic response settings.
The Corepack includes Garmin's nine-axis attitude and heading reference system and a GHC 50 five-inch touchscreen autopilot display. Control is also available through compatible Garmin wireless remotes, the APK 10 keypad and selected Quatix smartwatches.
SmartDrive is priced at €3,999.99 as a standalone actuator, while Reactor 40 Sail Corepack packages start at €5,499.99.
Garmin says all four additions are available from September 2026.
