Hi pretty new to 6m world . What are  the go to winches for 6metres ?

Probably the most popular are the RMG winches, currently out of production due to machinery failure. The J3 or J4 are the most likely candidates for a 6M. Previous models also appear occasionally either on the for sales on this site or Ebay.     

Failing that, PJ sails make a winch which will be powerful enough for a 6M, the PJS36.  Hitec also sell a largish winch that would probably work in a 6M, the  Hitec HS785HB .

Another option might be the RedAnt winch, though I think that might be aimed more at IOM size boats. It fits the same mounting as a RMG and also takes their range of drums.

 

Edited July 31, 2025Jul 31 by tiggy_cat

I use an ARS 808 in my Ravenna

I have an ARS in my boat, purposely tried it in everything from an IOM , Marblehead to the 6M - all perfectly.

I know these are more expensive and look very similar to the red ant - BUT It has to be the most accurate winch I've ever used, no glitching, no hunting back and forth, very smooth and repeatable.

Thanks everyone, I have had a couple of RMG fail in my IOM and even though they are repairable it is a pain when it happens. So just looking for options to try in the 6m.

 

Who supplies ARS winches in the UK? Are mounting sizes same as RMG?

3 hours ago, Dimple71 said:

Who supplies ARS winches in the UK? Are mounting sizes same as RMG?

Bill Green, and the plate is the same as RMG.  I have an ARS 808 in my IOM and would never go back to an RMG

Hi, cannot help with what winch for a 6m.

However before deciding to purchase an ARS 808 I would have a word with Bill Green as he stated in a previous thread that this winch is not repairable! (He is or was the UK agent for this winch and was talking to the manufacturer about this. I have not seen anything to contradict the statement.)

Topic was 'Sail winch repair ARS-808R' By Ian Dodsworth back in August of 2024.

The ARS 808 seems expensive if once out of warrantee it cannot be fixed. You may question an RMG initial cost and it's design but it can be repaired, normally with a quick turnround by Bill Green.

Eric

PS I have not tried this winch so cannot comment on performance. 

Simon, forgot to say if you have had issues with your RMG winches and you haven't already, have a chat with Bill Green and he will advise on what maintenance you can perform to minimise any failures.

   Here is my analysis of the winch types I could find when deciding on a winch for my IOM's. The colour coding refers to the rating for IOM's (sorry), but as PJ Sails suggests their PJS36 winch (with large drum) as suitable for 6M and another contributor has commented about using a AR808 (assuming the standard 40mm drum) on their 6M as they both have similar performance perhaps we could use this as a typical requirement?

PJS36 gives 317mm/second speed winching speed and 11.9kg pulling force and the AR808 gives 299mm/s and 11.5kg.

As well as the RMG 290J2 with a 26mm drum (310/12.4) and RMG 380J4 with 32mm drum (402/24.1) both exceeding the "typical" 6M requirements so should work fine but (on  a very personal point of view is a bit of a concern) they have higher than average stall currents. Using the same mounting style as the AR808 and RMG winches you have the Red Ant with a 32mm drum that also exceeds the figures by quite a bit (380/14.1) with a lower stall current than the RMGs.

I have used one of these Red Ants in my V11 IOM and will fit one in my new V12.

The PJS36 is a servo style mounting and other potential types using the same mounting style are the KingMax SW01BS with PJ Sails "50mm drum" (361/13.5) and SW02BS with a PJ Sails "67mm drum" (317/12.2). I have used the SW01BS with a PJ Sails 50mm in my Alternative IOM. Another Fleetwood skipper is using one in his 6M with the PJS 50mm drum to replace a SW22HV (10.6kg) with the same drum that worked fine but struggled slightly when at the very top end of a rigs wind speed. The major advantage of the Kingmax SW01BS is that they are typically around £70-£80 if imported directly so carrying a spare and accepting you are very, very, unlikely to get it repaired is still a feasible option.  

 

PS if anyone knows of any other winches that I can pull the data then I can add them to the spreadsheet if there is a demand.

WinchCompV10.pdf

Hi Paul

 

Terrific summary, thanks!  There are two columns that would really be very useful to add if you had the enthusiasm. 

One is the degree to which:  (a) the winch has an actual IP rating;  (b) the winch is convincingly claimed to be waterproof;  (c) is said to be waterproof in a hand-waving kind of way;  (d) is said to be "water resistant";  (e) no claim or statement is made about this;  or (e) is explicitly said to have no water "protection".

Two is if:  (a) the battery connects to the winch and also to the receiver;  (b) the battery connects only to the receiver and it is the receiver which powers the winch;   (c) the battery connects only to the winch which then supplies the receiver with the battery voltage unchanged;   (d) the battery connects only to the winch which then supplies a different voltage to the receiver (ie 6V);  or (e) two batteries are required, one for the winch and one for the receiver.

As requested from the data sheet information as provided by the manufacturers (where I have been able to find one). RMG's method of powering with a separate lead and a regulated 5.5/6v output is what made them different especially when first released nearly all receivers and servos were not really available with a 8.4v rating.

These days the availability of 8.4V receivers and servos is much easier with little cost penalty so most Winches now drive via the receiver. With most types this isn't a problem as the ground and power plains inside the receiver pcb that link all the pins together can probably handle more than the 7 Amps the Futaba style servo connectors are rated at.

If concerned it is possible to make up a "Y" cable (I have them for my V11) that take an XT30 connector for the battery to a MR30 connector (3 way version of a XT30) and also from the same MR30 to a Futaba style connector and fit a MR30 on the end of the three wires from the winch. This way the only power through the receiver is the receiver and rudder servo with Winch power going direct to the winch from the battery.

WinchCompV11.pdf

I had a Ravenna with a PJ winch in it,  which worked very well 

With a 6m dont fall into the trap of going for speed, yes the Hitec is a bit slow but the Red ant Ars and rmg all with the same fitting and drum mount are suitable but as mentioned the use of a winch with a battery connected to the winch gives more flexibility and power .When the bwinch is powered through the reciever you are now relying on a futaba type plug to provide up to 5amps , not a good idea volt drop will reduce the winch power and generate heat, not a good idea.

In respect of being waterproof, if the water gets to the winch in a six its already sunk