Steel pontoons maintenance

[Ramse3ys]

I got this really old Masterfab houseboat with steel pontoons that flex and make loud explosion like sounds during the year, likely due to temperature changes and pressure shifts, usually when its really wavy. The cold tar seal looks fine, and Ive tried releasing pressure by opening sections, but it's been only a temporary fix. I'm thinking of opening and resealing all sections using plumber's tape so that as it warms up, the expanding air builds pressure to help prevent the flexing. Am I in the right path here? Any advice?

 

[BusyMorning]

The sound you're hearing could be from something called oil canning. I don't know the exact physica behind it, but I know it's temperature and pressure related. Open the sections and reseal them in cold weather to have positive pressure and the noise should go away.

 

[Paul Wicky]

Why do you think plumber's tape will handle the pressure changes better than the original seal?

 

[Warm.love]

@Ramse3ys resealing with plumber's tape might work short term, but add small, weatherproof vent valves instead so it will let the air breathe without water getting in.