i'm re-covering my padded engine hatch on a 34'scarab.
any ideas on what material to use and where to get it? i believe the cover is vinyl. what about the foam padding?
i'm sure there's a million kinds. what's good?

I just had an upholstery shop re-do all my upholstery. I can't say where to get the vinyl, but I'd highly recomment two things:

1) if the plywood is still good (assuming there is plywood), treat it to repel moisture with resin, polyurathane, or whatever you like. The factory plywood on my hatch was saturated with water and weighed a ton.

2) there is a special foam my guy used that is an open cell desigh. Water will go right through it. The wrong foam will hold it like a sponge.

I think what Lowflyin is refering to is a "closed cell" foam. One product that I have seen used for an engine hatch is a DOW Product called Lamdex.
It comes in different densities and thicknesses. Not sure what density was used for the engine hatch application. Does not absorb water and has a cushioning effect (depending on density).
http://www.dow.com/perffoam/market/products/lamdex.htm

I do believe it's an open cell. The "bubbles" or cells are very large. The way it was explained to me is that it is designed in such a way that water will run right through it. You're correct about closed cell: it won't absorb water. This foam was only used on the hatch, not the seats. I kind of like the open cell theory myself. Seems less likely that water will get trapped between the vinyl and the foam...just my opinion though.

I removed the vinyl and foam on mine and carpeted it with a good quality boat carpet. it is easier to stand on while fishing and can still be used for sun bathing