Totally agree bruce1946 I too have a separate set for each boat, I can buy a set with 6 channel receiver for £65 and don't have to pay postage as the model shop is just down the road form my house.
As you say when we have a regatta I take my grandson and some of his friends so they can all sail at the same time.
A great unit for the price.
As to the switch problem I haven't had any issues, however the solutions suggested seem to be a simple repair Thanks to all the solution pioneers

Looked at a few but being I have about 40 of the same switches "in stock" I tend to use what I have, especially on cheap items.

Lew

Added: Plus ordering, shipping, and doing this sometime in the future (maybe) also needs to be considered. It is now done.

For replacement switches, did you try Mouser, Allied Electronics, Newark electronics or Antique Radio Supply.
Can you transfer the pcb to a different switch?

SimpleSailor, I did it and it works. I used a solder sucker and easily removed the little pc board. I replaced it with one of the many switches I have. Unfortunately I did not have any with similar paddles. Used what I have.

Everyone should note that the Flyskys use a metric threaded switch instead of the same threads. The hole in the case is ok but the sae nuts (1/4-40) are larger than the metric ones (M6 X 0.75) requiring a little material removal on the inside of the case.

Again, model-boats com has succeeded it getting the right info to the right people.

Lew

I used to use other brands but years back I started using spektrum. I have a DX6 with all my planes n ships on it. I just bought a new transmitter Radio Link (see pic) for when I’m doing ships in LA California. It came with 2 receivers and has a trigger n knob for cars. 6 channel so it has switches located on the body. With a handgrip n even a video screen. I paid $80 for it. I can put FPV video on the transmitters monitor. It is sitting next to bench as I haven’t used it as it’s getting shipped when we go out west. I haven’t used my Xmas present waiting for me there. My son bought from Leeds Hobby shop UK while on tour there with Chappel Roan band. I’ll bring new glue he hit in Germany fir wood to plastic and new CA bottle. I haven’t used esc n servos all set to shop. I’ll be there for a month n build the model there. He has a pool I can run it in n ballast test it in too. Happy new year from Massachusetts USA!

I read this with interest as almost all my 1/16 tanks run on FlySky radio units, and those that don't will be converted to FlySky sometime in the future.

My boats currently run on RadioLink, but the temptation to standardise on the budget priced FlySky radio systems for all my models is always at the back of my mind.

Fortunately the reliability of my RadioLink systems will probably keep this thought firmly at the back of my mind as I continue to run happily with it.

Bob.

As inexpensive as these radios are, it cheaper to by a new one I have a separate radio for each of my boats, I can buy a new radio and receiver for less than 60 dollars. and if I want to let a friend use one of my boats and me another boat at same time it works out better.

Interesting to know that the hobby king unit is compatible, I also had a "slight " mishap with my flysky unit and bought a replacement. Kept the old one for spares or repair. Depending on how confident I feel in taking it apart 🤔

Depending on your soldering skills, you could remove the pcb from the switch.

As the old switch is broken, carefully cut the terminals off the old switch, releasing the pcb, then either remove the terminal ends, by de-soldering them from the pcb, or to make life easier, solder 3 small lengths of wire from the new switch to the corisonding pcb cut terminals, and then slip a bit of heat shrink over the pcb to stop it electrically touching anything else in the handset.

I had to change 2 of my switches from the on/off, to on/middle/off type, and had to use a bit of veroboard to replicate the pcb on the extra switches.

The Hobby King Turnigy IA6 ones are the same unit as I have both and the receivers work on both.