Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (E.V.A.) is a material that is widely used in purse seine fisheries, and in other fisheries where a durable float is needed. Some of its characteristics are:

  • Very light with excellent buoyancy
  • Will stay soft even in very cold weather
  • EVA is an elastic material that will stretch under pressure more than PVC will and has a high tensile ( breaking strength)
  • Absorbs almost no water- even if cut or punctured
  • Buoyancy remains constant even after many days underwater
  • Resistant to sunlight to avoid fading
  • Will not crack, fracture, or split up to 200 meters ( 650 ft) deep in seawater.
  • EVA will rebound to its original shape after distortion caused by water pressure
  • Abrasion resistant
  • Not as economical as PVC
  • Marine paint does not adhere to the surface of EVA as well as it adheres to PVC
  • Limited colors are readily available
  • Limited sizes and shapes are available

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