: 1) How do you like the upholstering idea? Is grip good? Seems like it might
: make it hard to lay back or squirm around if you need to. (The supplier is
: in Tennessee, probably more oriented to WW boats.)
: 2) Can you suggest an adhesive that would give me some working time to smooth
: out the fit (unlike contact cement).

Bill,
I like the upholstered look. The main reason I have been trying different glues to hold neoprene to foam is because I bought a few sheets of 1" minicel that has a model number T100 and is far softer than L100, so it doesn't carve very nice, and worse yet it's that ugly light blue color. And at around the same time I found a pallet of new 1/8" neoprene at Boeing Suplus in Kent, WA for 50 cents per pound. Well, anyway, 50 pounds of neoprene (23 yards X 54" wide) for $25 couldn't be passed up.

Now, what to do with all of this foam and covering? I have found that Goop held the best in my attempts to tear pieces apart. Brian has suggested thinning the Goop with toluene in order to brush it on. And that E6000 is a very similar product. I'll try the toluene thinner and the E6000. It should give you sufficient time to attach the foam rubber. You can really use alot of foam in the cockpit of a kayak if you were to include foot rests and heel/ankle protection, the seat, the backrest, hip pads, and I see no reason why it can't all get covered up with neoprene. It will add weight, but it should also give a very professional finish. Good luck with your project and remember to test on scraps before you commit to the real deal. Keep us posted.
SMF