Overhauling a Coleman Crawdad
Modifying the Crawdad to optimize space to fit all equipment and ADVENTURE gear.
FLOATING \ CAMPING \ FISHING \ HUNTING \ TROLLING
Before Customizing
We purchased the Crawdad on Craigslist, go figure! Always keeping an eye out for little plastic boats for the fleet.
Starting with a blank canvas, there are a couple different options to really customize the boat for how we personally fish, float, and adventure.
First things first, removal of all the “guts”!
Removal of all storage compartments and foam inserts
For this boat, our goal was revamping the interior of the boat to optimize SPACE under the seats for gear bags & INSTALL more LED LIGHTING for easier night fishing and boating.
Blank Canvas Crawdad
The frame work still needs to stay the same to float and function properly. So the pipe frame work goes back in.
Next, measuring and cutting new plywood around the pipe frame and seat posts. Using marine plywood.
Whether an electrician or not, run new wiring through the pipe frame from the front of the boat to the back for the new light switch board!
A nice feature to have are courtesy lights inside the boat. We mounted ours underneath the bench seats to light up the gear.
Next up! Re-installing the pipe frame.
Wrapping/adhering the marine plywood with boat carpeting.
From here, focus on the seats and storage compartments.
We used marine plywood for the bench seats and the floor of the boat, BUT this material only lasted one season!
After the marine plywood rotted and came apart, we made a new front and back bench seats from a 1×12 biscuit jointed together and cut to customized size.
\\Check your local hardware and RV/Boat stores for accessories! Always good to give local businesses some attention.//
In the middle of the boat, we wanted extra room to pack things in or have room for another person + the dogs. By cutting a half circle on the back of the front seat it makes it more open and allowed for more gear bags, life jacket storage, etc.
Front and back bench seats are custom cut and include:
Rod Holders
Cup Holder
Seat Post Plate
Rod holders are cut into the bench seat on each side, a cup holder on either the left or right, and a FLUSH mounted plate seat rod holder in the middle, for any type of seat.
Under the Captains seat at the back of the boat, there is room for batteries, bags, waterproof cases for boat paperwork, etc.
The switch plate is placed on the right hand side of the Captain with switches to:
Cup holder lights
Boat lighting – lights installed in the boat and legal running lights (anchor light and red/green up front)
Power outlet to charge phones and/or bluetooth speakers!
After boat lights, cup holder lights, and switch board terminals are hooked up its time to check to see if they are working.
Be sure to use LED for all your lighting. YOUR BATTERY will THANK YOU.
Remember: all power comes from one battery!
Almost done. Finishing touches, add paint to the wood bench seats with a primer and waterproof sealer!
After Customizing
Install all rod/cup holders, and post seat flush mounts!
The seats that came with the boat we found better uses for. These actual boat seats are more comfortable and easier to take on and off with the post seat option. This feature makes the boat flat on top and easier to haul multiple boats and fit them together on the truck or trailer.
PUT THE CRAWDAD IN THE WATER & ENJOY!
The Coleman Crawdad does great for maneuverability and stability overall on any kind of water. The Crawdad (as well as all of our plastic boats) can also easily be placed in the back of a truck, no trailer required!
We have 2 Crawdads in our fleet because they are so versatile. Whether it is out trolling, doing some quick fishing, out for the whole day, packed with overnight camping gear for weekend floats, you get it…they are pretty slick!
Paired with a 40 – 55lb thrust Minnekota Trolling Motor and a Bullnose Rudder the Crawdads track and maneuver the best out of all the plastic boats we have!
We have other articles in mind pertaining to trolling motors, but for us the 55lb transom mount MinnKota is the way to go. The 40lb we use also, but with the current of the river and the wind the 55lb does considerably better. The 40lb does the trick though on most days!
FEEL FREE TO POST QUESTIONS!
We didn’t get into the nitty gritty of hardware!
BUT if you want more info on the specific diameter sizes and details, contact us and SUBSCRIBE!
SEE THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE FLEET! Another Coleman Crawdad we customize for our fishing needs.
