Tx/RX Replacement Advice for New RC Sailboater

Welcome to the forum!
Practically all Model radio Control transmitters are geared to aircraft use - its a much bigger market than boats, however they work OK with boats. Also almost all modern sets will come with more than 2 channels. Assuming you are in the UK, then 2.4Ghz sets are now pretty universal, so you will need to replace your receiver also. Your servos will work with a new set.
As to make, we all have our preferences. I use a Flysky/Turnigy set. I can't comment on the Futaba set - I haven't used Futaba since I had a 2ER many years ago.

Barrie

Any decent tx/rx system will work for your needs, i would suggest keeping in the 2.4ghz brand ranges just for having zero issues with signal problems and people hickjacking your frequency.

With Drum witches you need to ensure your system can power the drum winch effectivly, 2.4 systems require a constant 6V any drop in power will lead to issues with range and control/ loss of signal, usualy this isnt an issue with standard servos for a couple of hours use, but many drum winches are power hungry monsters when under load and can drain batterys significanly or even under power the RX in the boat....

many drum winch sailors actully power the winch seperatly with a connecting lead only for signal to the servo... this is something you should concider if you want run times longer than an 30mins to an hour on 4/5 AA batterys.

just google about for servo winch power leads, or you can knock up a positive and negative adaper for the drum its not a complicated thing to make, its probbably worth testing how u get on first before looking at that, just thought i would point it out, many newbies dont always understand the draws from winches have adverse effects with 2.4 in running times.

you can check out howels models, Cornwall models boats, Hobby king UK, to list a few recomended suppliers. 

Hobby king will server as the cheapest options but any issues their CS is shocking..... so be warned!

good luck let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the info guys. I’m actually located in the USA- Cedarburg Wisconsin which is about 130 miles north of Chicago. I appreciate the advice. I am waiting for some warmer temps here. Winter just won’t go away. I will look into and monitor the power consumption on the drum winch. Had no idea and could have left my boat stranded. I will update when I hit the water. Thanks again. Mark