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Landyachtz Dinghy Skateboard Review: What Riders Say About It

Posted on Last updated: December 11, 2022

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If you’re out there looking for a compact longboard skateboard for cruising and moving around, the Landyachtz Dinghy cruiser board is definitely worth considering.  It has been around for over 20 years and remains uber-popular year after year. 

Why? Because of its looks, quality build and components, high-performance shape, and affordable price.

If you want to know what Dinghy owners say about it, jump to this section . The following is a quick summary of the Dinghy’s top strengths :

• Small with length 28.5″, easy to carry around
• Super smooth ride on most terrain thanks to its soft wheels
• Nimble and quick turning thanks to its small size & responsive trucks
• Versatile due to its kicktail, nose, and light concave
• Quality deck, wheels, & trucks packed into a well-engineered complete
• Attractive graphics designs that make it stand out from the pack
• Very affordable given the quality of its components

A few cons to be aware of when considering the Dinghy :

• Fast and turny/twitchy: can be hard to handle for new riders
• Bigger or heavier skaters may find it too small for comfort
• Not as lightweight as a bamboo or composite deck
• Shorter wheelbase makes it not so great for downhill

At around $140 (depending on version), the Dinghy is quite affordable.

See the Dinghy’s price and versions here on Evo or Amazon .

UPDATE: also check out the new Dinghy challenger, the Loaded ballona mini cruiser (full review)

Table of Contents

Landyachtz Dinghy skateboard owner feedback: pros and cons

Here’s a rundown of the Dinghy’s main strengths and weaknesses according to Dinghy owners:

Landyachtz Dinghy pros

• Riders love the Dinghy’s dimensions, quality parts, and awesome designs. Phenomenal product, best board out there from a top brand in the $150 price area
• The Dinghy has the feel of a longboard but the control of a skateboard
• The Dinghy gives a very smooth ride. Most riders feel the wheels are soft and good at going over cracks and uneven pavement (though some disagree, see Cons below)
• The Dinghy is a perfect little shredder for anyone with experience. You can do all sort of tricks and still have the cruising ability of a well-designed longboard.
• The Dinghy’s stiff flex gives the board good stability
• The Dinghy has very functional kicktails for doing ollies here and there
• The Dinghy is very lightweight to carry around, perfect for campus, fits in your backpack. Exceptional board for cruising around campus and the city.
• The Dinghy is strong enough for doing tricks, including for a 200-pound rider
• The Dinghy’s bearings are phenomenal out of the box
• The Dinghy is precisely engineered. probably the best quality setup for the price.
• Sidewalk-to-street transitions on the Dinghy are smooth
• The Dinghy can be taken down hills if you’re experienced enough
• Compared to a Penny board, the Dinghy is lighter, wider, and stiffer
• The Dinghy carves really well
• The 63mm 78A Fatty Hawg wheels are perfect for doing little slides.
• The Polar Bear trucks on the Dinghy allow for deep and fluid carves even at higher speeds.
• The Landyachyz Dinghy has absolutely gorgeous artwork e.g. the Dinghy Blunt Meowijuana or Wild Cats , Dinghy Ibiscus , Dinghy Emboss

Landyachtz Dinghy cons

• If you’re a heavier rider, you may feel a bumpy or sluggish ride on bad pavement with the Dinghy’s original wheels. Fitting some Orangatang Stimulus with Dime bag wedged risers can improve things significantly.
• The Dinghy’s stock wheels quickly get dirty and bad-looking
• The Dinghy is sensitive to poor foot placement or bad balancing, especially if coming from a longboard – you’ll need to up your skills
• The Dinghy sits up quite high and the small wheelbase makes it a little tricky
• The Dinghy’s artwork is just too nice to scratch, hindering your motivation to try tricks!
• The Dinghy’s stock cone/barrel bushings are high quality but may be a bit soft for a heavier rider. Higher duro bushings e.g. Venoms (Amazon) are recommended.
• The Dinghy may scratch up quite easily if you do heavy tricks
• Make sure you have risers on your Dinghy setup before going down a hill – else you may risk a nasty crash

So that’s what the Dinghy owners have been saying. Now let’s dig in a bit deeper and look at what the Dinghy is capable of.

What is the Landyachtz Dinghy good for?

The Landyachtz Dinghy is a smaller commuter longboard that can easily be carried under your arm, in a backpack, on the bus or on a plane, easy to store in a locker or closet.  Its main appeal stems from its attractive, practical and fun image.

The board’s narrow (105mm) topmount trucks and small wheelbase make it very nimble and turny .  On the other hand, it’s also surprisingly stable , making it a nice board for cruising, carving, and riding down mellow hills.

It’s small enough to do tricks such as ollies, kickflips, and manuals, and its kicktail makes it easy to jump on and off curbs and big potholes – flawless sidewalk to street transitions.  It’s also good for riding bowls and ramps at the skatepark  (assuming you choose a longboard vs a regular skateboard ).

It’s worth noting that the Dinghy is best suited for an intermediate rider due to its small size and wheelbase, topmount style (the board sits really high) and fast trucks.  Although it’s relatively stable in relation to its size, a beginner longboarder may prefer a drop-through (lower deck) as a first board for more stability and easier pushing.

Also keep in mind that, while the Landyachtz Dinghy is a great casual mini-cruiser and “slasher” (for simple kick tricks), it’s not meant for serious freeriding or downhill speed – it’s just too small and not stable enough for that.

See the Dinghy’s versions on Amazon or here on Evo .

NOTE : since this article, I’ve published a new review of the Landyachtz Tugboat , the other ruling mini-cruiser from Landyachtz. Check it out also for the lowdown on Dinghy vs Tugboat.

Features of the Landyachtz Dinghy

The Dinghy complete longboard comes with high-quality components including Hawgs wheels, Polar Bear trucks, and Spaceball bearings – as opposed to generic no-name components.  The deck, trucks, and wheels were designed together to ensure full compatibility and precise engineering for the complete longboard.

The price for the complete, normally around $130, is actually lower than the sum of its components (around $150 between the deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, risers, hardware, and grip tape).

The Dinghy comes in 3 different sizes to accommodate smaller riders :

• Landyachtz Dinghy 28:   28.5″ length, 8″ width, 14.6″ wheelbase
• Lanyachtz Mini Dinghy 26 : 26″ length, 6.5″ width, 14″ wheelbase
• Landyachtz Mini Dinghy 24:   24″ length, 6.5″ width, 14″ wheelbase – for featherweight riders

Aside from the deck, all size models use the same components.

The Landyachtz Dinghy’s deck

The first thing that pops out when looking at the Dinghy is its quality directional   topmount deck.  If you’re like most Dinghy owners, you will probably like the strength and durability of the sturdy 7-ply maple deck layups over time.

Flex and grip

The deck is relatively stiff , suitable for popping and sliding the board.  It has a mellow radial concave which allows for comfortable foot placement when turning fast, riding downhill or sliding, albeit without locking in your feet too much.

Likewise, the durable clear grip provides good foot traction, but not so much as to make it difficult to turn your feet.  Some versions have a thin foam layer between the board and the grip tape for extra comfort – but not all models.

Kicktails and clearance

The ample kicktail  invites you to perform kick turns and small jumps.  The small nose makes it easy to pull manuals and other tricks.  The deck is slightly heavier than a regular skateboard, so popping ollies requires more leg muscle.

See also: can you ollie on a Penny board?

The deck has flared wheel wells providing more clearance for carving, a must-have given the Landyachtz Dinghy’s highly turny trucks and short wheelbase.  The wheel wells and risers help avoid wheelbite for those tight turns.

Some caveats

While the maple construction gives the Dinghy strength and durability, it also has its downsides. For one thing, maple decks are not as water resistant as bamboo or hybrid ones and absorb water over time, thus making it heavier.

Wooden decks also tend to chip faster .  Nevertheless, many Dinghy owners reported their boards hold up for an unusually long time without signs or wear and tear.

Finally, the Landyachtz Dinghy’s deck can suffer from speed wobbles  early on at faster speed because of its stiffness and short wheelbase (read about  overcoming speed wobbles) .  But of course, speed is NOT what the mini -cruiser was built for in the first place.

See the Dinghy’s price and versions on Amazon or here on Evo .

Landyachtz Dinghy’s trucks

The Dinghy comes with 105mm, traditional kingpin Polar Bear trucks with enlarged bushing seats for more turnability.  That’s quite a narrow truck, not as stable as a bigger one, but that’s to be expected given the small size of the Dinghy’s deck.

Bear trucks have very high tolerances to minimize slop.  The hangers are machine faced for increased strength and the axels are heat treated and reinforced to keep them spinning straight.

The trucks baseplates have 8 holes, which allows you to customize your board by leveraging either the old school or new school hole pattern.  The trucks also come with 0.25″ risers to reduce the risk of wheelbite.

Some riders find the bushings initially a bit squeaky, though that’s the case with most new bushings until they get broken in.  You may choose to replace them with other quality bushings such as   Venom bushings  (Amazon) matching your weight and style.

Landyachtz Dinghy’s wheels

The Dinghy complete comes with Hawgs Fatty 63mm wheels – again, Landyachtz owns the Hawgs brand.  Hawgs wheels use proprietary urethane and rigorously tested downhill under freeriding conditions.

The Hawgs are the same wheels that come with the high-end Landyachtz downhill / freeride models, so they boast superior quality as confirmed by most Dinghy owners.

Smaller but very smooth

While the 63mm diameter wheels are adequately small to match the Dinghy’s size and fast turning trucks, they have great roll speed for their size.  With their soft 78A durometer, they feel somewhat squishy yet still firm .  The Fatties strike that sweet spot between smooth rolling on all kinds of terrains and easy breaking into slides .

You’ll find the wheels to be buttery smooth – you can barely feel the bumps even at higher speeds.  The wheels can really run over almost anything – including sidewalk cracks and even metal chunks, without easily getting chipped.

Grippy yet slidy

These wheels’ small size and proportionally wide contact patch (50mm) make them very controllable for slides while still being grippy enough.  Their very rounded lips on both sides also greatly facilitate kicking into slides.

Another feature of the Fatties that makes them quite versatile is the offset positioning of the wheel cores.  With this positioning, the core (hard material inside the soft urethane) is placed somewhere in between the inner side of the wheel and the center – as opposed to centerset and sideset cores.

Offset positioning results in a balanced mix of grip and slide .  The Fatties’ very wide and supportive cores are actually “very offset”, reflecting the Landyachtz Dinghy’s focus on sliding and tricks when carving the streets.

Landyachtz Dinghy’s bearings

The bearings that come stock with the Dinghy are Bear Spaceball bearings .  Here again, not your typical generic, no-name, low-quality component.  These are very decent, ABEC7 bearings (though ABEC does not mean much for longboarding).

The built-in spacers help the wheels stay aligned and wiggle free, make it easier to change the wheels, and let you tighten your axles to your liking without messing up the setup.

As a Dinghy rider, you’ll find these bearings allow your wheels to roll for a long time, and are strong enough to withstand a lot of popping tricks without getting damaged.

Although most Dinghy owners agree these bearings are pretty good, you may still choose to upgrade to even better ones such as Bone Reds for more speed (for more info check out this post, the section upgrading your bearings ).

Dinghy graphics and designs

One of the things skaters really love about the Landyachtz Dinghy is its really cool choice of graphic design – some of them engraved in wood. View the Dinghy graphics on Amazon or here on Evo .

The Dinghy Emboss , for example, with its very sober looks, has been a top seller in Landyachtz’s mini cruiser category.   Some Dinghy owners actually order a second Dinghy just to hang it on their wall!

Other popular Dinghy versions include the Red Dragon, Crown Peak, Burger, Coffin, and Blunt.

The Dinghy Skeleton features a really cool white skeleton character on a black background:

The Landyachtz Dinghy Blunt Meowijuana stunning artwork shows a cat mad of green leaves texture cuddled up on a pink background with small yellow tulips:

Questions about the Landyachtz Dinghy’s size

Longboarders considering the Dinghy sometimes wonder about the board being too small. As discussed, whether it’s too small for your needs first depends on the kind of riding you want to do. The Dinghy is a great size board for city commuting, cruising, and easy transportation on sidewalks and around campus, being super nimble and portable.

Besides usage, though, you should also factor in your weight, height, and foot size when deciding whether the Dinghy is a good match for you. Some riders with larger feet may feel a 8″ deck is a bit narrow for comfortable riding – you may get “ footbite ” in really tight turns. Also, if you’re a taller rider, you may have a shorter stance than usual on the Dinghy because of the short length.

In short, the dinghy may not always be the best match for bigger riders. Here’s an excerpt from a helpful comment from Steve, one of my readers (see the comments section):

I’m 6ft and about 195lbs, size 10 (UK) feet. I snowboard and love to ride my loaded dervish Sama. I’ve has fun in various cities but find carrying it less convenient than it could be. I’ve not really ridden for about 3 or 4 years but fancied getting back out in the streets when I’m working away. So I just bought a Dinghy and have been learning to ride it for a few days. It does have its challenges! Foot placement is tricky for me, there is very little room for error. I have ridden 2 longboards, Sama and a Landyachtz Switchblade which are both low and long, easy and forgiving to push, I found a preferred foot position on both boards but it was adaptable, with the Dinghy I am almost hanging 5 and it teeters on the edge of my comfort zone. The higher deck on the Dinghy has given me a couple of sketchy foot braking moments and I’ve accidentally stomped on the kicktail a couple of times. The Dinghy is very nimble and at lower speeds is super comfortable. Today though I found that upping the speeds and looking to cruise around a wide curve it just didn’t behave as I was expecting. it was almost like I was leaning back with pressure on the toe edge to make the turn. weird! Summing up my few hours of riding experience on the Dinghy so far, there is a lot to love, its massive fun. riding the Sama now comparatively feels a little dull and predictable. It will be a steep learning curve and I expect to eat dirt regularly along the way, but I don’t think the challenges are insurmountable. I will find where my feet are best placed so my pushing and braking skills will improve. I hope to improve my skills so the Dingy becomes easy and fun for getting around cities 3 to 4 miles at the time, much faster than walking and much more fun than taking the bus. Most of all, I know it always fits in my suitcase so I never have an excuse not to have it with me.

Landyachtz Dinghy weight limit

While the Dinghy doesn’t have an official weight limit, riders above 250 pounds / 110 kilograms should probably choose a bigger or thicker board. The Dinghy’s 7-ply maple construction may not withstand that much weight, especially if riding hard.

Cruising & commuting on the Landyachtz Dinghy

The Dinghy is meant for city cruising and convenient urban transport. Its short size and wheelbase and the directional shape make it super nimble for weaving around people and things in tight spaces. The narrow turny Polar Bear trucks are very quick and turny  for sidewalk navigation.

The ample kicktail adds to the maneuverability and allows for easy curb and crack hopping. The Dinghy can easily be stashed into or onto a backpack, and painlessly carried around a store or a school building.

In short, the Dinghy really is a fast and nimble city slashing board. You can ride it pretty much everywhere on short trips around town instead of driving or taking the bus, and have a great time doing so. It does take a bit of skills to handle the Dinghy for commuting – see the section about beginners below.

Freeriding & downhill on the Dinghy

Short answer: not so much due to its small wheelbase. When going fast you need stability, which typically comes with a longer wheelbase and/or a lowered deck (e.g. drop-through trucks or a dropped platform). The Dinghy’s 14/14.5″ wheelbase is a bit short for real speed beyond small hills on your city commute path.

That being said, some experienced freeride and downhill riders are able to ride the Dinghy quite fast because of the deck’s stiffness and the Hawgs wheels nice grip. The mellow radial concave does provide a bit of foot lock-in at higher speed – albeit not as much as a true freeride board. At moderate speeds, the Dinghy’s topmount reactiveness and turny trucks allow for tight carves and easy breaking into slides.

To summarize, while the Dinghy is a a bit short for real speed, some experienced longboarders have some serious fun sliding on moderate hills.

Pumping on the Landyachtz Dinghy

With the righ trucks, the Dinghy can be made into a cool pumping board. Swapping the Bear trucks for some good surfskate trucks, e.g. Carver CX/C5 trucks, Slide trucks, or the Yow surfskate adapter, can turn the Dinghy into a small pumping machine. Although narrower than a typical surf skateboard (8″ vs 9″+), it can still pump very nicely on sidewalks, parking lots and garage driveways.

Check out my post on surfskate trucks to learn more about which truck to use.

Skatepark & street tricks on the Dinghy

Many riders love hitting the skatepark, ditches, and pools on their Dinghy. The responsiveness and tight turns make it a great board for park riding and street tricks such as kick tricks, manuals and slides. The Dinghy’s carving ability and smooth rolling on its bigger wheels (compared to a street board) also make it super fun for pool and ditch riding . Optionally slap some surf trucks on it and you’ll be really surfing the concrete on that awesome mini-cruiser.

The Landyachtz Dinghy is not for complete beginners

Due to its small size and responsive trucks, the Dinghy is quite twitchy – again, it’s designed for nimble city cruising and slashing. If you’re a beginner, you’ll normally want a more stable board, one with a lower turn-to-lean ratio, which means the board will turn less for the same amount of lean onto the edge.

A longer wheelbase, a wider deck with wider trucks, harder bushings, larger wheels, all these factors contribute to making a less twitchy longboard. Also as mentioned earlier, a drop-through or drop deck longboard will ride closer to the ground compared to the Dinghy and thus give you better stability for learning to kick push and ride confidently on flat ground.

Some new riders, however, have better than average balance and may get used quickly to the Dinghy’s responsive topmount ride. You may just fall for the coolness factor of the Dinghy and decide to learn on it no matter what! That may be easier, however, for a smaller rider than for a bigger one.

Landyachtz: the cruising company

I’ll wrap up with a quick word about the Landyachtz brand. Landyacthz has been building longboards for 20 years .  Started in a basement by two friends, it has grown into a 60 employee company with offices and retail space in Vancouver and Los Angeles, and a manufacturing facility in British Columbia.

Landyachtz also owns the Bear Trucks and Hawgs Wheels brands, both well-recognized in the longboarding community for their quality.  All the Lanyachtz complete longboards come with these trucks and wheels.

The company keeps a strong focus on their cruiser longboard category, putting special efforts in quality deck construction and quality components.  In addition to their mini-cruiser line – which includes the Dinghy, Landyachtz also has a full-size street cruiser line (ATV), a traditional pintail series (Freedom), and a freeride and downhill longboard series.

Wrapping up

If you’re looking for a cruiser small and light enough to take anywhere, yet stable enough to ride comfortably AND agile enough for slides and kick tricks (in short, you’re looking for a unicorn) then you’ve found it with the Landyachtz Dinghy – Amazon or Evo .

The mix of features and component quality you’ll get for the price is hard to beat.  And the graphics are just plain awesome, with plenty to choose from.

Just remember though, no single board can be everything to everyone.  So if you’re a total beginner, the Dinghy may be too small/fast /high riding for you.  Also, if you’re a downhill addict, the Dinghy will probably not give the stability and confidence you need at high speeds.

If you’re an intermediate level skater looking to carve the streets, you can also fine tune the Landyachtz Dinghy to suit your specific needs, tightening or loosening the trucks to make it more stable or faster, upgrading the bushings and bearings, etc.

Overall, most Dinghy owners agree you can’t go wrong with this board, provided you have the right skills for it.

*** Photo credits: Product shots and ditch courtesy of Landyachtz

Shawn isaiah

Thursday 21st of May 2020

Hi, I have been skating on my penny board for years and I wanna try something different as I have grown larger. But I wanna still have a bard that I can carry behind my bagpack with a clip.

Does a landyachtz dinghy have that function?

28 inch does seem abit bigger.

Whats your advice?

Thursday 29th of August 2019

Hi Jessie, I'm writing to you from Italy, and I would like know if also the Dinghy - as the Tugboat - has "the wedged risers on the front trucks", that "improves the board’s carving ability" and "helps to make the Tugboat much “surfier” and more pumpable than a regular longboard". I'm asking to you because I prefer ride without pushing with a surfskate in my flat land near Venice (not hills at all). Scuse me if I annoied you with this question, but at anyway thank'you very much for your work and your know-how.

Hey Michele,

I don't believe the Dinghy comes with wedged risers out of the box, however you can definitely fit some onto it for slightly improved pumping. If you really want to pump, however, you can mount a surf adapter like YOW on top of the Polar Bear trucks - see the YOW kit here on Amazon or the Waterborne surf adapter here. You can check out this post for in-depth info about surfskate adapters.

Alternatively, you may want to take a look at Slide surfskates (see Amazon Italy page here). Slide makes quality and affordable surfskates that work very well for pumping and carving. You can also check out my review of Slide surfskates here.

Hope this helps. Ride on! Jesse

Wednesday 3rd of July 2019

I'm looking for a longboard suitable for a pumping track and after some research I've decided that Dinghy may be a good candidate. I'm 65 kg and 185cm (144lbs, ~6ft). I don't have almost any experience with flat longboarding but I'm able to keep balance/speed on the pumping track so I'd call myself intermidiate. Is Landyachtz Dinghy a good choice for me?

Thanks, Tob

Hey Tob, are you referring to pumping TRUCKS? What kind of trucks do you mean? Surfskate trucks like Carver or Yow? Bennett truck for LDP? Do you want to pump for surf-style carving or are you looking more for long distance pumping on flat ground? Depending on your goals the answer is quite different! Aloha

Tuesday 25th of June 2019

I snowboard and have recently got into longboarding. I'm learning on a tan tien (39" with 27" wheelbase), which I can use pretty well on bike paths.

However, when I'm on sidewalks, I can't manage a 90 degree turn, even with proper bushings for my weight. I suspect it's just too long a wheelbase.

Looking at shorter wheelbase options, would you recommend something like a landyachtz dinghy (15" wheelbase) or something in the 20" wheelbase range (like a loaded poke)? I've never used a street skateboard so I have no preference for 15", but I'm not sure if 20" is small enough to handle sidewalks corners well.

Thanks, Vinay

Hey Vinay, yeah the reason you're having trouble handling tight corners is probably the size and drop-through design of the Tan Tien which is best-suited for distance riding/pushing and speed. I myself ride a Poke as my main board for everyday riding including city sidewalks. Not only is the Poke shorter than the Tan Tien with a smaller wheelbase, as a topmount it's much more responsive due to the increased leverage on the trucks. I use the 2 different setups depending on my mood, the carving setup with Paris trucks and Stimulus wheels or the surf setup with Carver CX trucks and 4Prez wheels. See the details for both setups here on the Loaded page. Both are awesome and super nimble, they let you make very tight turns - I can actually do U-turns on pretty narrow paths quite easily. The Paris setup is lower riding and super responsive, better for slides and hills, while the Carver setup is great for pumping and surf style.

The Dinghy is a great little sidewalk cruiser but it's a bit twitchy and harder to handle if you're a newer rider and/or if you're a bigger rider. The Poke may be a better option, being just the right size and lightweight with the composite bamboo construction (like most Loaded models).

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18 Aug Why you should consider the Landyachtz Dinghy for your next cruiser skateboard

This post was updated on April 5th, 2020

What makes the Landyachtz Dinghy so awesome?

Zoom! The answer is simple. The Landyachtz Dinghy is awesome because no other cruiser skateboard rides like a Dinghy!

Having existed for nearly two decades and undergone four design changes, the modern Dinghy is the result of years of fine tuning.

The Dinghy is made to offer a unique and awesome experience for both beginners and experts . It’s versatile , easy-to-ride , and crazy fast – you simply have to skate one to believe it!

What sets Dinghy’s apart from other cruiser skateboards on the market is their premium components that have been specially designed to function together. The result is a responsive ride that truly performs , whether you’re just cruising down the sidewalk or carving down an intense hill . All Dinghy models feature 63mm Fatty Hawgs Wheels, one of the most important components of making the Dinghy skate like it does.

This is because Fatty Hawgs offer just the right balance of slide and grip, meaning they hold onto the pavement during high speed carves but offer a controlled slide during the weight shift of powerslide tricks. They also have a wide contact patch and diameter that rolls effortlessly over rougher pavement, cracks, bricks, and even small pebbles.

But, an amazing cruiser needs to be able to carve and turn with precision . That’s why Landyachtz developed the Polar Bear truck from their own truck company, Bear Trucks. Using squeeze-cast technology, heat-treated axles, and premium-quality bushings, outstanding steering response and long-lasting durability are guaranteed.

What is the Landyachtz Dinghy best used for?

Dinghys are beloved for their portability , making them one of the most popular options for students to travel with around their school campus.

However, their lightweight, compact design is good for more than just making it to your biology class with time to spare. The Dinghy is an amazing option to make your morning commute through the city a lot faster (and a lot more fun!) When you go on vacation, simply pack up your Dinghy and board a plane with it for your next tropical getaway. When you get there, take out your Dinghy and forget paying for an Uber or taxi , your Dinghy allows you to take in the city from a whole new perspective . Think of it as your personal “discovery tool” to help you explore places you might not have ever seen without it!

Alright, alright. So, the Dinghy is portable and works great for skating to class or work. But, how does it perform when you want to really test its limits ?! Say no more. The high-performance components of the Dinghy enable it to handle even the gnarliest hill bombs and powerslides with ease. Don’t believe us? We’ll just let this video from Landyachtz speak for itself:

Which Landyachtz Dinghy model is best for me?

While all Dinghys are uniquely awesome, Landyachtz has developed several different Dinghy shapes and variations to suit different preferences and riding styles. Below you will find an overview of the current Landyachtz Dinghy models .

. The Classic Dinghy

The most current “classic” Dinghy model is characterized by an 8” width (standard skateboard deck width) and a 28.5” length (slightly shorter than a standard skate deck). The shorter length is largely due to the small nose of the design. This deck has a full-size tail that can be used to pop tricks and do manual tricks and the small nose has just a light concave. The classic Dinghy offers the most graphic and color options of all Dinghy models, so you can find one that perfectly suits your style! Recommended for: Beginner to advanced skaters who want the ultimate all-rounder cruiser skateboard ! The compact, lightweight design makes this cruiser perfect for commuting to class, work, or to bring along while traveling. It doesn’t sacrifice performance either and will tear up any downhill terrain with speed and agility.

. The Dinghy Turbo

If you thought the classic Dinghy was gnarly, wait ‘til you see the Dinghy Turbo! This is literally the “suped-up” version of the classic model. It features the same overall design, except it features titanium trucks with hollow kingpins for weight reduction and high-speed Rocket Hawgs wheels . According to Landyachtz, this is “the fastest cruiser setup they’ve ever made”. Recommended for: Intermediate to advanced skaters who demand maximum performance . While it will surely perform for casual cruising, this cruiser is best suited for bombing gnarly hills and terrorizing the streets at high speed.

. The Dinghy Handstand

The Dinghy Handstand is a unique Dinghy model in that it features an almost perfectly flat deck with soft-top griptape . It has an 8.5” width and 29” length, making the overall size just between the classic Dinghy and the Tugboat models. As the name implies, you could do a great handstand on it and it would work for practicing dancing tricks or even skating barefoot. Recommended for: Beginner to advanced skaters looking for a ride that’s comfortable on rough surfaces/pavement or for a true “old-school” style cruiser skateboard.

. The Dinghy Hoodoo Tiger/Gin & Tonic

The Dinghy Hoodoo Tiger and Gin & Tonic models feature a shape that most nearly resembles a traditional skateboard deck from the 1980s and earlier. It has a full, squared off tail, side concaves, and a small yet relatively defined nose in comparison to the other Dinghy models. It has an 8” width and 28.5” length, the same as the classic Dinghy. Recommended for: Beginner to advanced skaters who want a more traditional old-school skateboard deck style that’s capable of transition or pool skating. Note that it is smaller than most old school decks from Powell, Santa Cruz, etc. as it is only 8” wide like the classic Dinghy model.

. The Dinghy Wrecktangle

The Dinghy Wrecktangle is self-titled by Landyachtz as a “weird lookin’ skateboard”. It features a unique squared-off nose and tail and has an almost completely flat concave. With large dimensions of 9” x 31.25”, the wrecktangle is built for skate destruction! Recommended for: Intermediate to advanced skaters looking for something fun and unique . The wrecktangle is a bit of a mix between a longboard and cruiser with a wide and flat riding surface that will dominate hills and carves

. The Dinghy Blunt

With a width of 8.6 inches and wider Bear Trucks than the standard Dinghy, the Dinghy Blunt is designed to offer increased stability and performance you can be confident with at higher speeds . It also has a low concave for comfortable long-distance cruising.

Recommended for: Skaters with larger feet, beginner skaters who want a wide riding surface and more predictable performance or advanced skaters who simply want more stability at high speeds!

. The Dinghy Coffin

Compact and highly-shreddable! The Dinghy coffin has a slim and stylish shape that’s easy to transport and a blast to skate. The widest part of the deck is found where your front foot is placed, giving you excellent leverage and control during carves . It has the same 105mm trucks of the classic Dinghy with a super tight turn that hugs the pavement with the 63mm Fatty Hawgs wheels.

Recommended for: Intermediate to advanced skaters looking for a relatively smaller board with agile performance.

. The Dinghy Dugout

Surf’s up! The most distinctive feature of the Dinghy Dugout is its longer wheelbase than the other Dinghy models (how far apart the trucks are from each other). This design gives it a “surfy” feel that’s a lot of fun to ride while casually exploring your city. This also gives it increased stability, making it a good option for beginner skaters.

Recommended for : Beginner to advanced skaters looking for a smooth and casual ride – a true sidewalk surfer!

. The Schooner (The Dinghy’s Big Brother!)

The Landyachtz “Schooner” cruiser models feature a similar deck shape as the classic Dinghy but with everything a bit bigger! The increased width, longer wheelbase, 60mm wheels, and wider trucks than the Dinghy give the Schooner a smooth, stable, and predictable ride that’s great for commuting or casually cruising .

Recommended for : Beginner to intermediate skaters looking to comfortably cruise, commute, or learn to ride a cruiser skateboard.

. Landyachtz ‘Revival Series’ Cruisers

Several Landyachtz cruiser models are apart of the ‘Revival Series’. All of these cruisers feature decks constructed from carefully selected, salvaged wood veneers . This process not only reduces waste from skateboard production, it gives each and every deck a unique appearance that exposes the natural beauty of the trees the board came from. 

Recommended for : Those who like to save the planet and admire the natural beauty of wood!

. Landyachtz ‘Hollowtech’ Cruisers

Looking for maximum performance ? Look no further than Landyachtz cruisers featuring the ‘Hollowtech’ construction. Instead of a seven-ply maple construction, Hollowtech boards feature 5 plies of maple and two plies of super-strength fiberglass. Not only does this greatly improve the strength and pop of the deck, but it also makes it lighter (and faster!) than a seven-ply deck. 

Recommended for : Skaters who have a need for speed and who want the latest and greatest board technology from Landyachtz.

. The Tugboat

[Edit: if you want to know more about the differences between the Dinghy and the Tugboat, check our article “ Dinghy, Tugboat, or Atv: what are the differences between these 3 types of landyachtz skateboards? “].

The Tugboat is similar to the classic Dinghy in shape, but the overall size is amped up to 9” wide and 30” long. This gives the Tugboat more surface space and a wider center of gravity than the agile classic Dinghy. Accordingly, it features wider Bear Trucks to accommodate the increased width. Recommended for: Beginner to advanced skaters who like the shape of the classic Dinghy but prefer a wider riding surface and increased stability. The Tugboat is also a great option for larger skaters who aren’t sure they will feel comfortable with the agility of the classic model.

Want to get 10 % OFF your next DINGHY cruiser? Just use the code ‘DINGHY’ on Cruisin City ‘s shop!

Text by Skatetexter

Author: Team CruisinCity

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Setting Sail: My Landyachtz Dinghy Review

Okay, okay.

My first skateboard was a Walmart board when I was 12 or so. It was slow, hard to use, and, frankly, I never even learned to ollie on it. I think my parents sold it at a garage sale.

My second skateboard was a longboard from Sector 9. It was huge. I fell while trying to learn to push it. I never learned how to push right, so not pushing mongo took some time to get used to. I got the huge Sector 9 Meridian because I figured it would be big and make learning easy. I was wrong. Plus, it was too awkward to carry around, so I didn’t feel like skating it.

So, I bought a Landyachtz Dinghy. Small. Nimble. Light. What could go wrong?

It… it did not go well at first.

Table of Contents

I Got Knocked Down

But I got up again. Then I got knocked down again, again, and again. My first time out on my Dinghy, I fell on the sidewalk in front of an old man. He smile at me and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll get it, you’ll get it.” He was right. Of course, I would have scraps, scratches, and scars on my arms, knees, legs, and ankles by the end of that summer, but I got it.

I kept getting back up and on that board for two reasons. First, the financial investment of now two skateboards was just too much for me to give up on. But secondly, and most importantly, was the fact that it was fun. Skating is so much fun. I found it helped me feel better when I was depressed. When I was getting over someone I was dating moving away and our relationship ending. When I was having a frustrating day at work. Or, when I’d just be bored. I’d put wheels to the pavement and feel better. Getting anywhere felt like an accomplishment, and I felt better for having done it. I still feel better on days when I skate.

Beginner Killer

The Dinghy is not really a board for beginners. As a complete from Landyachtz, it has hard quarter inch risers and the bushings are very soft. You’re learning to balance on one foot while and likely shifting your weight between your feet. That’s often how beginners skate, and the distance between the deck and the ground is too much for a stable transition. For the record, new skaters, bend the knee on the board a lot so you can swing your pushing foot and balance on the board better. Still, you’ll have to bend your knee a lot with that riser, which can be a bit uncomfortable uphill or over long distances.

I’ve since replaced the stock riser with a thinner, soft riser, and I added harder bushings (Orangatang Knuckles insert barrels and and Riptide Krank street cones), which made the ride much easier. But by the time I did that, I already was comfortable on the board. It took a month or two to make it to and from the train without falling or stumbling, but I did it.

The stock setup is rigid, the deck is stiff. It’s short, a little more narrow than your average street deck these days. There’s almost no nose, making ollies a little trickier, but it’s not too difficult. This is a deck that seems set up to be more difficult. If it’s your first time on a skateboard, you will fall. A lot. That’s true of any board you get, but it’s especially true of the Dinghy.

Should you get a Landyachtz Dinghy if you’ve never skated before? Sure, if you’re prepared to get knocked down a lot. The risers and soft bushings make for a delicate balancing act, but you’ll get it. Once you do, you’ll realize why the Dinghy is worth the steeper learning curve.

The Sum of its Parts

Let’s break down the parts that come with a Dinghy complete, and, from there, we can talk about the complete package.

The Dinghy deck is lightweight. It’s about 28″ long, if you got this particular model. There are other models in other sizes, but this is the one commonly discussed when referring to the Dinghy. At its thickest point, it’s 8″ thick. It tapers slightly to the rear, and comes to a pointed nose in the front. The nose is upturned ever so slightly, and there’s a big kicktail in the back. There are carved wheel arches. You can use the nose and tail to find your place on the board, right above the trucks. This is handy in skating, as well as landing off of curbs or ollies.

Thanks to that kicktail, you can ollie. Sure, the weight of the wheels and that small nose make it more difficult, but it can be done. One of my proudest moments was tackling a surprisingly large, about 6″ drop during a commute at the beginning of the summer. I was going quite fast, and didn’t know if I could stick it. But I did. What a great start to the day that was.

While the deck is shorter than a street deck, it won’t feel like it, thanks to the wheelbase being slightly larger. There’s enough space to comfortably maneuver on this. In fact, after spending a month on a 22″ Penny board, for travel and practice, it felt like an actual yacht.

The deck has a nice, subtle concave. Not too deep that you feel like your feet can’t move around a little, but enough to find a reliable spot for your feet. The concave flattens out by the tail and nose, which is one of my favorite parts of the deck. It gives your feet a small pocket that you can use while riding to make the deck feel like an extension of your feet. Slide your front foot forward into the lip of the concave, at about a 45º angle, and your rear foot right up against the tail, and you’ll find pockets where you can comfortably put your feet. I’ve even rode the Dinghy at surprising speeds (over 20 MPH) for a mini cruiser with narrow trucks. Once you’re locked in and you’ve got your weight up front, you can turn it into a more stable platform than you’d expect. You can even slide your rear foot up on that tail and keep only the balls of your feet or the side of your foot on the flatter parts of the deck at speed. Still, it’s a short, narrow deck, and it uses traditional kingpin trucks. I don’t recommend downhilling with it.

The Bear trucks are sturdy. I’ve gone downhilling on this board thanks to these sturdy traditional kingpin trucks. I’ve hit speeds over 25 MPH going down a hill. Sure, it felt like I was trying to kill myself, but I didn’t. In fact, I didn’t even stumble or wobble. My Dinghy was held in place. For a bit, I forgot I was riding a cruiser, not a downhill board. I actually tucked to drop wind resistance and speed up.

Do I recommend it? No, I’m an adrenaline junky with a death wish. But, I’m surprised to say these trucks are surprisingly reliable with the right bushings. Put your weight forward and low and you’ll greatly reduce speed wobbles.

Ugh… the Bushings…

But good luck getting the right bushings. The stock bushings are a bit soft if you’re going to be doing anything faster than a nice cruise. I replaced the ones that came with it with some firmer bushings that have a bit more rebound. That’ll be personal preference. Now I have to commit to turns a bit more while I’m commuting, but I appreciate the bounciness.

The bushing setup for these trucks won’t match what you’ll find in traditional Paris Street or Independent trucks. In fact, it’s incredibly hard to find a replacement. The bottom is just under 0.6″, and the top is 0.15″. This is a less traditional barrel/cone setup, but you can find bushings that will fit.

The boardside bushing is the height of a standard barrel bushing if you forego a washer. If you do want to use a washer, you’re going to have to shave the bushing down. The closest size are Venom street bushings or Thunder Trucks bushings. Riptides are a bit wider, and the bushing seat on the Polar Bear trucks is incredible restrictive, but it can work. Streetside is easy, it’s a short street cone from Riptide, or other such short cone. I like to use Riptide’s Krank formula there, since the strange size of the boardside bushing means there’s less customization, while Krank bushings become far more stiff with a few turns of your kingpin nut.

You can use Venom’s double cone street bushings, but I don’t like the feel as much with them. It’s just a little too easy to turn and hit the edge of your turning capabilities abruptly, sometimes with wheel bite. I really prefer this with a barrel/cone setup.

I found that you can use a short street cone (I love Riptide’s), along with an Orangatang Knuckle barrel bushing. However, it’ll still be a fraction of a millimeter to tall. You can use sandpaper to shave it down, but you risk messing up the geometry and having a less stable ride. You could alternatively just keep the stock bushing in place, and go with a far stiffer bushing on the roadside.

I also recommend swapping out the pivot cups. In every Polar Bear truck I’ve used, the pivot cup becomes a squeaky mess after just a few days, especially if you’re trying third party bushings that aren’t quite the right size. Use Riptide’s WFB pivot cups and you’ll have the quietest trucks in town. Or keep them in, and put either a drop of bearing lube or some soap shavings in there every week.

Honestly? This is a frustrating mess. Grab some Indy 109’s instead, and throw in Riptide’s Street Barrel and Short Street Cone bushings. Your Hawgs will stick out about 2mm more on each side, but at least your bushings will be dialed in properly.

They’re offered in a 78A durometer. It’s comfortable. However, we can’t forget that this is a 63mm wheel. It’s still going to be a little rough, and you’re going to have to learn to tackle cracks and bumps with speed or a little hop. These aren’t beginner tactics, but you’ve got to learn them eventually, so why not right away?

I like Hawgs wheels, especially in this durometer. They slide smoothly, and that wider shape makes them just a bit better at tackling cracks and rocks.

Setting Sail

If you’re comfortable on a skateboard already, the Landyachtz Dinghy is a delightful little thing. It’s certainly more than the sum of its parts. The wheels might be a little rough and make sliding to cut speed a little tricky for beginners but more experienced riders will note that they have a smooth and predictable slide. The trucks can feel a little mushy with the stock bushings. The deck is short and narrow.

But my god it’s a blast. It’s lightweight, nimble, and agile. I hop up and down curbs, fly down roads, dodge traffic and phone-distracted pedestrians, and can commute faster than a car, bus, or even train! It, to me, feels like freedom. On a day when I can take up the whole road, I can fly. On a day when it’s packed and busy, I’m as nimble and delicate as I am on my feet. Dodge a car by hopping up on a curb, dodge a pedestrian by hopping back down. It’s fast, convenient, and I rarely feel out of control.

To me, the perfect cruiser board is one that feels sturdy, you can go fast on it, it’s agile (TKP trucks), it has a kick tail, and it can comfortably fit under a desk, table, or bar. It’s something you can take just about anywhere with ease. That’s the Landyachtz Dinghy in a nutshell. It’s not the only board in my quiver, but if I ever had to save just one, it might be the one I save (but you’re going to have to fight me pretty hard to get me to leave my other boards behind).

Other Setups

I loaded it up with some old school Bennett Vector trucks (4″), and Orangatang’s Fat Free wheels, great for freeriding and cruisers. Some small soft risers and hardware I had laying around, and I was off. The board has a super carvy feel. It’s not fast, and going fast on it would be dangerous, but it’s fun and chill. Go out on a hot day, pump a little, take up the whole road, and just enjoy swaying in the breeze. It’s a chill yet slightly unstable setup, and I absolutely love it. Those Fat Free wheels (65mm, 80A durometer) are playful, sliding a little when I want them to and gripping when I need to push off. They’ve got a fun bounce to them.

You could also go for Paris’ wonderful 149mm trucks, which are taller and don’t need a riser. I have them on two of my other boards, and I’m happy with them. The Frankendinghy actually started out with them. Their height and responsiveness give it a snappy, surfy feeling.

The Dinghy is versatile, and it’s a fun deck platform to go off of. Can you use it as a beginner board? Yes, but only if you’re willing to dedicate yourself to skating. If you’re not willing to get a lot of bumps, scrapes, and bruises, you might be better off with another board. In fact, I might recommend the Pantheon Pranayama, Trip, or Ember for beginners who don’t want to fall much. But, if you’re willing to grow, the Dinghy is a board you’re only going to grow more fond of as you improve. The better you skate, the more you’re going to love this setup. There’s a reason skaters rave about the Dinghy, almost to an obnoxious level. It’s a ton of fun in a small package.

Thanks for swinging through! Get skating!

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Tugboat vs ATV vs Dinghy: A Landyachtz Buyers Guide

Dinghy vs tugboat vs atv.

Source: Youtube, Landyachtz

There are three rad boards in the Landyachtz line up that frequently are pitted against each other for the next spot in your skateboard arsenal: The Dinghy, ATV and Tugboat.

Let’s take a look at all three and find which one best suits your needs. 

The Dinghy is Landyachtz’s OG mini cruiser. It was first released as a tiny little old school board and has since grown to be readily available in 10+ graphics. 

The board is small, measuring about 28” long with a 8” width. Beginners can certainly learn on it, but those looking for a super stable platform might look elsewhere. This smaller size makes it the most portable and easiest to carry of the bunch. 

Source: Youtube, Landyachtz

Tricks are easily done on the Dinghy if you are a more experienced skateboarder. We’ve seen riders tre flip it! However, we can’t really recommend trying to learn tricks on this board for first timers. 

Parts Spec:

Source: Youtube, Ogden Sike l

You should get the Dinghy if :

Don’t get the Dinghy if:

❌  You are a “bigger” rider or have large feet ❌  Are looking to skate long distances ❌  Want to primarily learn tricks

The Tugboat is essentially the bigger brother of the Dinghy. It has a bit more of an old school vibe with the wider width. Riders with larger feet need look no further. 

The Tugboat comes in at 30” length and 9” width. Though it is wider, in terms of length it is still quite small - this means it will be portable and easy to carry around like any other mini cruiser.

Source: Youtube, Shred Shack

Flip tricks are going to be more difficult on this board due to the width. 

Wider trucks come on the Tugboat to match the increased width. This makes the board feel more stable overall. 

Parts Spec:  

Note: Parts are subject to change per Landyachtz 

You should buy the Landyachtz Tugboat if :

Don’t buy the Tugboat if:

❌ If you’re looking for a board to skate 6+ miles with ❌ You want the smallest mini cruiser available ❌ You’re looking to mostly learn tricks. 

The Landyachtz ATV is the hybrid of the group. The ATV has a nose and tail, making it the best board here for doing tricks, cruising, and freeride. 

ATVs are the biggest of the three, making them the most stable but least portable. However, that extra length gives you a nice big nose for tricks. 

Source: Youtube, Todd Rocheford

To make things extra confusing, there is also the ATV X. The ATV X Substitutes two layers of Canadian Maple for 2 layers of fiberglass for a longer lasting board without the added weight. 

You should grab the ATV if:

✅ You want a cruiser board you can learn tricks on ✅ You are looking for a board that is comfortable ✅ Want a hybrid cruise/freeride board

Avoid the ATV if:

❌  You want a super portable board ❌  You want a mini cruiser (this is a full size skateboard)

Comparing the Tugboat, Dinghy & ATV

Here are some common questions that we get with regards to which board to get.

Which one is best for sliding? 

Generally the ATV is the best for sliding because it is bigger and gives you more control. However, all these boards come with wheels that come sandstone ground for easy slides right away. The difficult part will be learning on the smaller decks. 

Which one is best for downhill? 

We cannot recommend any of these for serious downhill. 

Which one is best for tricks? 

The ATV with the large nose is generally better for tricks. 

Can you go offroad with the boards? 

Yes, to some extent! The large and soft wheels of about 60-63mm gives these boards the ability to be taken rougher roads than a normal skateboard. 

Which board is the fastest? 

None of these boards are going to be “fastest” and it will largely come down to the road and the rider. 

How can I upgrade these boards? 

All Landyachtz completes come with great components out of the box. However, the first couple of personalizations we would recommend are bearings, wheels, and trucks in that order. Check out Dragon BUILT Bearings for a nice first upgrade. 

What alternatives / competitive boards are out there? 

Fireball Artist Series

Arbor Pilsner

Build your own - Reissues

Loaded Omakase

Loaded Coyote

Who are Landyachtz Longboards? 

Landyachtz is a longboarding company hailing from Kimberly BC. They’ve been in the game since the early 2000s, and have slowly grown themselves into one of the biggest longboard brands. 

Though you might know them for the famous Landyachtz Dinghy, Landyachtz have their roots planted in downhill skateboard racing. They’ve brought some of that racing competitiveness into the cruiser world, and have by far the most diverse and extensive options of cruisers of any other brand. Landyachtz do not play around.

In terms of quality, Landyachtz does not disappoint. Though they make a ton of their boards in China (with some made at the Berkley factory in Kimberly, BC), they’re all of high-quality. Outsourcing the manufacturing also allows them to price their boards competitively, and sell them at an affordable price point. 

Stoked Ride Shop may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

The opinions and views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Stoked Ride Shop. The author makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The author shall not be liable for any damages, including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, even if Stoked Ride Shop has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Ride at your own risk and within your own limits.

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Landyachtz Tugboat Review (Tested & Compared)

The Landyachtz Tugboat is a quality mini cruiser that’s the big brother to the Dinghy. It’s functional for casual cruising, carving, and occasional flip tricks.

Which Tugboat Setup?

Landyachtz offers several variations of the Tugboat. If you want something easier to do fliptricks and powerslides, go for a setup that has smaller, 60mm wheels. If you want something more carving-focused, go for the setups with larger, 63mm wheels.

If you have a local shop that carries the Tugboat, buy from them.

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Length: 30″ Width: 9″ Wheelbase: 15″

The concave is mellow – enough to ride longer distances without it being annoying in my opinion.

The kicktail feels comfortable while riding and gives you enough pop to throw some mellow ollies or if you wanna do flip tricks, you can since there’s a lowkey nose to catch the front foot, but it’s definitely not something you’re gonna wanna learn flip tricks with. Stick to a traditional skateboard if that’s the case.

Pretty much the deck shape is the same as the Landyachtz Dinghy, it’s just beefier – a little longer and wider.

Diameter: 60mm | 63mm Contact Patch: 28mm | 50mm Durometer: 78a

Depending on your chosen setup, the Tugboat comes with either 60mm Lil EZ Hawgs or 63mm Fatty Hawgs. For this specific Tugboat model, they came with 60mm 78a wheels. Just front testing different type of Hawgs, the urethane always feels solid. Although if I’m gonna be real, I’ll probably end up swapping out these wheels for something a little wider like the 63mm Fatty Hawgs.

For my preference, these wheels felt a little too easy to slide out while carving because they’re thinner, and there’s less of a contact patch, but it really comes down to what you want.

Hangar: 130mm | 150mm Bushings: Cone & Barrel Bushing Duro: 90a

The trucks are Polar Bear 155mm, which is a wider truck compared to what you find on the Dinghy models. Depending on the model, the Dinghy’s come with 105 or 130mm trucks, so basically you’re just getting more stability with the Tugboat. With a beefier build, you’re gonna want a beefier truck.

Polar Bear trucks are top-notch, from the geometry to the lightweight material that they use, you can’t really go wrong.

Paired with a standard riser pad in the back and an angled riser pad in the front, it’s super agile and in my opinion a solid cruiser if you live in a city environment and need to make quick carves.

The bushings are 90a barrel and cone, which I weigh 165lbs and they feel pretty responsive, I don’t feel the need to swap them out or anything like that. But you can always swap them out if it doesn’t fit your preference.

Type: Built-Ins Shields: Single-Capped Material: Steel

And finally, the bearings are Bear Spaceballs, which have built-in washers and spacers. I did notice that they ended up even putting additional washers, which I don’t think is necessary but just goes to show their attention to detail.

Tugboat vs Dinghy

Compared to the Dinghy, the Tugboat is beefier (longer and wider). They’re both portable and easy to stash away if needed. There’s not a massive difference in size, so it comes down to your preference. If portability is the most important, go for the Dinghy. Otherwise the Tugboat has a little more deck space and will probably be more comfortable for most people.

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Landyachtz Tugboat Review – Bought & Tested

By: Author Ruben Vee

Posted on Published: November 2, 2021  - Last updated: December 7, 2023

By sharing you support this website

Ever since I launched this blog I wanted to get my hands on the Landyachtz Tugboat. Nobody seemed to answer the right questions so I’ll do my best in reviewing this board as best as I can. It is about time to review the Landyachtz Tugboat due to popular demand, you guys won’t shut up about it so here we are.

There aren’t any real reviews out there in the blogging space (update: some spammy blogs are now copying mine), so I decided to buy this cruiser and see why people recommend this board so much. I tested the Tugboat under different circumstances. I also let one of my friends try it out to see if we are in agreement. Is it hype or is this really a good choice? We’re going to find out!

Landyachtz Tugboat First Impressions

Is the landyachtz tugboat good for beginners, rough terrain performance, cruising and carving, bear trucks, landyachtz tugboat vs dinghy, buy the tugboat when, don’t buy if.

Just look at it, so much concave! This board looks like something you can ride hard and fast! And once you get it in your hands it feels a just bit heavier compared to the Dinghy but I have no issues carrying it around. I got the Tugboat captain which seems a bit dull compared to the often playful graphics you find on other versions, but that doesn’t say anything about its performance.

It’s a bit wider and longer than the Dinghy and the tail is rather large. Lot’s of concave and the gritty wavy griptape ads a nice touch. Since I already own a couple of Landyachtz cruisers the trucks and bearings don’t hold any surprises. 

I like the huge kicktail and there are some details you won’t notice unless you’re actually looking at it closely. The grip tape feels sturdy and I really want to jump and this board and just ride! is.

The Landyachtz Tugboat is a great choice for beginners. There is lots of room for your feet, it feels very stable and doesn’t make any unexpected turns. The steep concave will take some time to get used to but it’s easy to keep you balance because it’s so wide. The trucks aren’t too loose or too tight and with some small adjustments, you tweak it to make it more or less turny.

If you’re new to cruising and have a hard time choosing between the Tugboat and the Dinghy, I would go for the Tugboat. Even experienced riders will enjoy this board so I think Landyachtz really hit the sweet spot here. Where other LY completes fail, this one is a keeper.

Tugboat Test ride

When I get a new cruiser is don’t tweak them and ride them straight out of the box, after a few hours I usually adjust the trucks a bit once the bushings break-in. Surprisingly this was not needed this time, for me the bushings are perfect but this also depends on your size and weight. 

I just finished testing the Landyachtz Surfskate so it took me a minute or so to get used to this thing, it’s way more stable and very easy to control, something I appreciate because I like to ride hard and aggressive.

My first push felt great, there is a lot of room for your feet which makes it extra stable and I quickly got used to this cruiser. You really feel the concave which is something you need to get used to. Also, the griptape is quite sticky, it takes more effort to move my feet around and get them in the proper position compared to other cruisers.

The stickiness will go away in time but it was very noticeable, once you adjusted, you’ll be fine. If it’s too much for you, you could sand it down a bit but better just to be patient, it will wear eventually.

This board just plows through anything, really digging it so far but I need to ride it a bit more so I’ll update this post accordingly.

I developed a routine now and know a few spots in my area to test the abilities of a cruiser. The Tugboat plows through patches of grass, small rocks, gravel, or the bonus stuff you get in Autumn like Acorns, chestnuts, and shells. The wheels just push them aside and sometimes even launch them into orbit.

Really rough asphalt (the ones full of holes and cracks) feels a bit uncomfortable and you’ll have a harder time controlling this board. To be fair, my Comet Cruiser also has issues when I ride this area.

Slides are possible if the surface is slick enough, my local bike path is perfect for cruising but it’s less suitable for sliding unless it’s been raining. Nevertheless, you can (power) slide this board a bit or do some backside 180 slides on concrete if you’re skilled enough, the steep concave and sticky grip tape should provide enough support to pull it off.

It’s a joy to ride but as always with Landyachtz Completes, the bearings could be better and I’m not a fan of the Fatty Hawgs wheels. That aside, it really is a fun ride and you can cruise with confidence without having to worry about eating sh*t.

It’s pretty carvy and maintains speed for quite some time depending on the surface you ride. It’s fast, maneuverable, and responds very quickly if you need to avoid pedestrians or cyclists. 

It does lose grip when you perform really sharp turns, perhaps if ride it a bit more this will change but it’s not a surfskate. Overall I’m pretty content with this board, really love how it rides straight out of the box and the bushings seem to handle fine. There is no need to adjust the tightness of the trucks but to be honest, that really depends on your weight.

Lightweight might want to loosen the trucks a little, heavyweights won’t have to do anything. Just ride it for a few hours and adjust it to your liking.

The Tugboat provides more stability downhill but I won’t recommend bombing hills. The trucks just can’t handle it and at some point, you get speed wobbles. It holds up on mellow slopes though, and you have to really push it to lose control.

The Landyachtz Tugboat is not a trick board, people often ask if you can ollie or kickflip cruisers but they aren’t made for that. Sure you can, but you need to be very skilled before you can pull this stuff off and why not get a regular skateboard if you want to learn tricks?

Just slap some softer and bigger wheels on a popsicle skateboard and you’ll have a board for cruising and tricks, it’s that easy.

You are able to ollie curbs or at least get your board of the ground. The kicktail is pretty far from the ground to popping it is extremely difficult. You don’t need to though, just apply a bit of pressure and swipe your front foot and you ‘ollie’ a curb, no problem.

Basic tricks like slides or manuals are certainly possible though I wouldn’t recommend practicing manuals on a new cruiser, you’ll destroy the tail. You could get a tail guard, this will prevent your tail from becoming a razor blade.

Landyachtz Tugboat Components

Let’s take a close look at what the Tugboat is made of and what you can do to improve its performance. In my opinion, this board is great from the start but after a while, you might want to make a few adjustments. is.

Like always everything is fine with Landyachts, great deck, rides right out of the box, stable yet nimble, but the wheels and bearings – I’m still not convinced. The trucks are solid as always, I love the shape and concave of the deck and the huge kicktail is great for a more aggressive stance.

The deck consists of a kicktail and a curbed nose (for those who are skilled at nose manuals) and has a rather deep concave. The concave will take some time to get used to if you come from a longboard or a beginner cruiser like the Globe Big Blazer .

I personally really like it because it gives you that extra grip you need when you do some aggressive turning or plow through gravel. The huge kicktail has a really steep angle, more than any cruiser I currently own but really helps you to dig in when you are heading for a rough patch.

The grip tape is extremely sticky so you really need to make an effort to move your feet around, like I said this will go away after some time but I have a feeling it will stay firm. It also depends on the type of shoes you are wearing. For cruising, I usually get my Etnies Maranas because of the support they offer.

Because of its steep concave, you can actually do a couple of tricks if you know how. Beginners should really stay away from this stuff because this board isn’t meant for tricks.

Bear trucks are part of Landyachtz and they hold up fine, still, I think Paris trucks would do better. However, Bear trucks are high quality and can take a beating and they are able to carve to a certain extend.

If you carve deep and pull all our weight in a turn the bushings will say “no further” and you’ll notice your board giving away under you. To be fair, this is not a surfkate board and I might have tried some stuff this board wasn’t meant for but I ride another cruiser that won’t give away once you really test them to the max.

I wouldn’t grind curbs or anything though, they weren’t made for that. Might as well replace them with Independent trucks if that’s what you’re after.

I tested a couple of Landyachtz cruisers already and I dread buying a new one because I always get the same wheels that don’t impress me. Sure the Fatty Hawgs work but they do annoy me because there are so many better wheels out there. Can’t blame a company for using their own stuff though.

I do like the size, 60 mm seems like a good choice and to be honest, I like them better than the 63 mm version. They easily run over cracks and either launch small pebbles or run over them.

Upgrading the wheels once you get better at cruising is advised. It’s a great starter cruiser and the components work well together but there isn’t any harm in making it even better.

I’ll repeat my findings, Fatty Hawg wheels are okay cruiser wheels but they lack grip. The wide contact patch really helps you to to maintain stability and you can pull off slides on slick surfaces (which is such a great feeling).

The bearings have integrated spacers and aren’t that great. You won’t notice if you’re a newbie but I would replace them as soon as you get a chance. Ride it for a while and once you feel like you know this board and how it behaves, upgrade the bearings (and don’t forget to buy spacers). It will make a huge difference!

If you don’t mind me making a couple of suggestions, consider Bronson Raws or Bones Swiss 6. You’ll notice the difference right from the start.

It’s a complete setup, and you get stuff that works well together but you’ll also pay for being lazy.

I get this question a lot and the truth is it comes down to personal preference. The Tugboat is obviously better for people who are taller than average or rider with large feet. If this is you, the Tugboat is a better choice.

There is a slight difference in how they ride, the Dinghy is a bit more nimble and a bit harder to keep your balance. If you’re an absolute beginner, the Tugboat will make it easier to learn how to ride. The Tugboat is more forgiving and has more room for your feet, the Dinghy is way more unstable and for those who know how to ride.

If you skated in your younger years both are a good choice, but somehow I get a feeling you’ll appreciate this board more than the Dinghy because of it’s old school vibe.

Should You Buy The Landyachtz Tugboat?

It really depends like always. If you’re in doubt between the Dinghy and the Tugboat and never skated before, this is definitely the board you want. But this also goes for experienced riders. All I can say is that this cruiser offers a comfy ride and won’t do anything you won’t expect it to do when you’re slightly off stance. Easy to correct mistakes and a pretty chill ride.

You are new to cruising, are an old school skater that wants to ride again, love skateboarding, and want something agile to commute. Also, heavy riders and tall skateboarders with huge feet will absolutely love this board.

I tried to tear down this board any possible way I can but truth be told it is a super rad board and I really dig how hard I can push it without losing my balance. You’ll feel very comfy on this board and soon enough you’ll appreciate its quirks. Once you can push it to its limits it’s time to upgrade the wheels and bearings.

This will take you a year or two, so come back to this post once you’re ready and I’ll have listed the perfect upgrade for you.

Geez, I was pretty critical about this board and now I have to come up with something why you shouldn’t buy. Well, the first thing that comes to mind is the price tag, 200 bucks is quite expensive.

If you’re a newbie you might want to consider a cheaper board like the Globe Big Blazer . This board is really easy to ride for beginners. Ride it for a couple of seasons, sell it,  and get a better board!

Don’t buy the Tugboat if you want to do tricks, it is hard to ollie and I’ll give you mad repect if you are able to kickflip this board, it’s not meant for gnarly stuff and just a waste of the deck.

Not much more to add, it is a great complete cruiser board after all.

I buy this stuff myself and I have to be honest with you, the Fatty Hawg wheels are okay but nothing special. They provide enough grip (except when it’s wet) you can slide on slick surfaces and overall they are fine, just not something to write home about.

Landyachtz produces their own wheels which makes the overall setup cheaper (I hope) but at 200 bucks you might want to consider setting up your own cruiser. It doesn’t get 5 stars, 4 is more than enough because it’s expensive.

Don’t be discouraged though, after testing 10 cruisers and getting another Landyachtz, it becomes a bit boring testing the same components over and over again. You probably just buy one cruiser ever and you’re settled.

The same goes for the bearings, nothing special. There are better bearings out there but you really have to assemble all the parts yourself to get you the perfect cruiser setup but it depends on what you want and what you prefer. is.

I absolutely LOVE this board and it really performs beyond expectation s. It feels really solid and stable and anyone will have a ton of fun riding this board. The grip tape will take some time to get used to but it really helps you to dig in and ride aggressively while you can also just lay back and just go for a super chill cruise.

So after a while, you probably want to get more out of this board and I would suggest some upgrades. Can’t go wrong with OJ super Juice and some decent bearings. It will make quite a difference.

Make sure to read about all the other boards I tested, check out my list of best cruiser skateboards .

I’m an aged skateboarder and still shred responsibly. Started skateboarding 25 years ago, peaked in the 2000’s, and still ride to this day. I am a total geek when it comes to skateboard gear, love test to stuff and share my findings.

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Flex Ratings

We’ve categorized the stiffness of our boards into 3 main groups, listed below.  The general rule is the faster you’re skating, the stiffer the deck, but this is not universal.

Flexy – Soft and supple flex profile best suited for carving and cruising on longer boards. The bouncy nature of these decks lets you turn deeper and surf your surrounds.

Medium – The do it all of our boards, a perfect balance of stability and carve. 

Stiff – From cruisers to downhill boards a stiff flex profile excels in stability and responsiveness.  Whether you’re dipping into driveways or bombing a mountain pass you’ll be down with the stiffness.