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[Alexs Dad]

Hi all,

my son, is mad about models but we have only just started. He found this workboat on the Howes website and we got it for his birthday (10yrs).

The problem is it got wet very quickly (the squirter leaked) and since then it has only worked intermittently. Now the steering doesn't work. I was thinking of sending it back to Howes but it seems from this site that the thing to do is to upgrade it with some new components. I have looked at the very helpful sections about upgrading but I don't know where to start ie: where can I get the components, how much do they cost, etc.

Any help appreciated.

Alex's dad

[Martin [Admin]]

I take it you have tried turning it upside down and left in the airing cupboard for a couple of days....

A 2 channel radio set - £25-40            ( Howes - A Model World )
Electronic speed controller - £20-30     ( Action Electronics - Howes - A Model World )
Battery - £10-20                                ( Model Power.co.uk )

Builds here:
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/My_models/31%20Dickie.htm
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8411.0
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8890.0
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6588.40
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7802.0
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7625.0

[tigertiger]

I would be inclined to find out if you can fix the leaky squirter first. If not then ask Howes to exchange.

When you get the new boat convert it.

[Alexs Dad]

Thanks. I'll let you know how I get on.

[tgarrity]

I just purchased this boat and had the EXACT same problem.  I found the water cannon leaking from where the two hoses connect, and applied some latex caulking, which seems to have done the trick.  It was acting very erratic after this, but I let it air out for several days, and it seems to be OK now.  Did you ever get yours working again?

I know it takes on water for ballast at the bottom, so I'm wondering if this is going to be an ongoing problem, or if in fact this was from the water cannon leaking.

Terry

[Weeds]

I just purchased this boat and had the EXACT same problem.  I found the water cannon leaking from where the two hoses connect, and applied some latex caulking, which seems to have done the trick.  It was acting very erratic after this, but I let it air out for several days, and it seems to be OK now.  Did you ever get yours working again?

I know it takes on water for ballast at the bottom, so I'm wondering if this is going to be an ongoing problem, or if in fact this was from the water cannon leaking.

Terry

My Dickie tug leaked from prop shaft. To check for leak there:

take off top deck
run in bathtub for 1 hour
look for small drops on the motor/prop-shaft connection or a puddle of water underneath it
the greasing below completely fixed the leak

I also got rid of the squirter and sealed the water tube. My Dickie could never turn on from the beginnning and the radio transmitter was completely missing a switch when I got it off evilbay..

Thanks so much!

Greasing the propeller shaft with $2.99 Coastal Marine Grease (Water-repellant) fixed the leak. Shaft was easy to get out - pull it out with pliers, grease, push it back in.

More pictures here: http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa36/Stevelum_2007/Dickie%20Seaport%20Workboat%20Tugboat%20RC/