(I've been to Lowe's and used what they had. Absorbs water and takes forever to dry.)

I will try other local stores.

I should not have to! Gas costs money. Time is money. Material is money.

I will not NOT resent what CLC has done. They know the dimensions of their own hatch flanges, and still provide material 1/4 too wide. I did try trimming it, with unsatisfactory results. And it takes way too much pressure to compress, especially with hidden hatch bungees.

This is my second kit boat. First was Pygmy (no hatches, that time). This issue is egregious. It's not like the inevitable seat upgrade, etc., as there need be no personal preference involved. There exists a "right" material, and they should provide it.

Thank you for the McMaster Carr reference. I found what appears to be ideal, and it's "only" $52 (to get 40 more feet than I need, of course).

http://www.mcmaster.com/#93375k35/=22su56

: I would go easy on CLC. What they supply in the kits is quite adequate for
: the hatches, it may not be the best in the eye of every boat builder but
: it will work quite well. It compresses easily, has minimal memory and
: provides a reasonable seal on the hatch design. I believe the roll I have
: from CLC is manufactured by Frost King and that is what you will find in
: the local hardware store, Home Depot or Lowes.

: As far as what to use... you should be able to find closed cell foam in just
: about any local hardware store or Walmart. If you want better you can
: check online at an industrial supply house such as McMaster Carr. McMaster
: has no minimum orders and the shipping is reasonable. I usually receive
: orders within one day to a residential address in PA.