The Landyachtz Tugboat is a mini-cruiser that deserves more attention. It stands out as one of the best in its class, offering a fantastic riding experience for beginners and experienced riders alike. This review delves into why the Tugboat is a highly recommended option for anyone seeking a stable, comfortable, and versatile mini-cruiser.
Landyachtz Tugboat: Specifications
Before we dive deeper, here are the core specifications of the Landyachtz Tugboat:
- Deck:
- Length: 30″
- Width: 9-9.24″
- Wheelbase: 15”
- Construction: 7-ply Canadian Maple
- Stiffness: Normal (minimal flex)
- Max weight: Comfortably supports up to 250lbs
- Components:
- Wheels: Options include 63mm Fatty Hawgs, 63mm Doozy Hawgs, or 60mm EZ Hawgs
- Trucks: Available with 130mm or 150mm TKP Polar Bear trucks
- Bearings: Bear Space Balls Abec 7 bearings
Landyachtz Tugboat Review: A Deeper Look
The Landyachtz Tugboat is essentially the larger and more stable sibling of the popular Dinghy. Landyachtz designed it to offer a more comfortable and forgiving ride, particularly for those with bigger feet or those who simply prefer a more stable platform. The Tugboat accomplishes this mission effectively, making it a great choice for extended cruising.
landyachtz tugboat review
Enhanced Comfort and Stability
The Tugboat’s wider deck provides ample foot space, reducing fatigue and enhancing balance. Unlike the smaller Dinghy, which requires constant adjustments to stay straight, the Tugboat feels more planted and requires less effort to control. While still maintaining the portability of a mini-cruiser, the Tugboat offers a slightly heavier feel, contributing to its stability.
One minor drawback is the 150mm TKP trucks, which can feel somewhat sluggish when turning. However, this stability-focused setup is perfect for beginners or those who prioritize a smooth, controlled ride. For a more nimble and responsive feel, the 130mm Polar Bear trucks are highly recommended, offering a great balance between turning and stability.
For those who own both, the Tugboat, especially when equipped with the 130mm trucks, often becomes the preferred choice for everyday cruising. Additionally, the Tugboat’s design makes it surprisingly trick-friendly, with ollies and kickflips feeling more natural compared to other mini-cruisers. While it’s not primarily designed for tricks, it’s a viable option if you’re interested in dabbling in some basic maneuvers.
Comfort During Longer Rides
The Tugboat excels in providing comfort for extended rides. The wide, stable trucks keep the board balanced and moving straight without requiring much effort, preventing foot and leg fatigue. This is a major advantage over the Dinghy, which requires more active balancing, leading to quicker exhaustion. If you’re looking for a mini-cruiser that won’t hold you back on longer journeys, the Tugboat is an excellent choice.
riding the Landyachtz Tugboat
Concave Design: A Matter of Preference
The Tugboat features a pronounced concave, which is most aggressive in the middle of the board, tapering off towards the tail and nose. While the steeper concave might feel less comfortable when standing directly in the center, it becomes more accommodating over the front and rear bolts. The concave cradles the heels of the front foot while the more mellow part rests under the toes and vice versa for the back foot.
Tugboat concave
Overall, the concave is comfortable, although some may prefer a mellower design. However, the Tugboat’s concave is well-suited to its purpose and doesn’t feel overly restrictive.
Deck Quality
The Tugboat’s deck is solid, high-quality, and durable. It has good pop for a mini-cruiser and feels like it’s built to last.
Landyachtz tugboat top view
Stability and Turning
The Tugboat is known for its stability, primarily due to its wide trucks and stiff bushings. While this stability makes it incredibly beginner-friendly, it also means the board isn’t as nimble as some other mini-cruisers. It turns slower and doesn’t react as quickly to weight shifts. This is a positive for beginners but might be a drawback for riders looking for a more responsive board.
is the landyachtz tugboat stable?
For a balance of turning and stability, the 130mm trucks are ideal. The 150mm trucks, while providing maximum stability, sacrifice turning ability, making the board feel less intuitive and requiring more use of the kicktail for turns.
bear tkp trucks and paris tkp trucks
High-Quality Components
The Landyachtz Tugboat comes equipped with top-tier components, including Bear trucks, Bear Spaceball Bearings, and Hawgs wheels. These components are known for their quality and durability, ensuring a smooth and reliable ride.
tugboat components
Frequently Asked Questions About The Landyachtz Tugboat
Tugboat vs. Dinghy: Which is Better?
The Tugboat’s increased size and stability make it more suitable for extended rides and larger riders. While the Dinghy is more maneuverable, the Tugboat is more beginner-friendly and comfortable. The Tugboat is often the preferred choice between the two.
Landyachtz Dinghy vs Tugboat
How Fast is the Tugboat?
The Tugboat comes with different Hawgs wheel options, all of which provide good acceleration and momentum. The EZ Hawgs offer a quicker acceleration but can reflect road vibration more than other options. If you want a smoother ride, the Fatty Hawgs or Doozy Hawgs are recommended.
EZ Hawgs and Fatty Hawgs
Can You Powerslide on a Tugboat?
The Tugboat, particularly with EZ Hawgs, can be easily forced into a powerslide. However, the wedged front truck makes holding a slide less natural than on other mini-cruisers. It’s not the ideal platform for learning slides, as a longer board provides a more forgiving learning experience.
sliding the Landyachtz Tugboat
Is the Tugboat Good for Tricks?
The Tugboat is not primarily designed for tricks, however it is easier to do basic tricks like kickflips and ollies on this mini-cruiser, compared to other similar boards. If you are thinking about learning tricks in the future, then the Tugboat can be a viable option.
is the Landyachtz Tugboat good for doing tricks?
Is the Landyachtz Tugboat Good for Beginners?
The Tugboat is one of the most beginner-friendly mini-cruisers on the market due to its stability and forgiving ride.
Can the Tugboat Ride Over Pebbles?
Yes, the wheels are large enough to handle small pebbles and other minor road imperfections with ease.
this goes hard
Where to Buy the Landyachtz Tugboat?
You can purchase the Landyachtz Tugboat at Stoked Ride Shop or Amazon.com.
Final Thoughts
The Landyachtz Tugboat is a highly impressive mini-cruiser that often exceeds expectations. Whether you are a beginner or experienced rider, the Tugboat offers a smooth, stable, and enjoyable ride. Consider the 130mm truck version for the best balance of turning and stability. This board is a solid choice for anyone in the market for a high-quality mini-cruiser.
