Ocean Alexander ‘64

When did this problem start? Has it been since you bought the boat? Is it a year round problem?

So far, there are two common threads between the two boats - OA 64 and boating in the same waters.

But no answer on the vital questions I asked? Why is it so hard to drag any information our of you so we might be able to help you?

Guess I missed in in your Dave Hester approach. Got it now. You might call OA and ask them if others of that model have had the issue. This still seems far more environmental though than thick styrene. Thick styrene issues are normally in warmer climates and wouldn't limit themselves to water surfaces. However, anything is possible. Any boats other than OA's experiencing similar problems where you are?

That's another vote for the environment. Something in the water and this time it's not figurative but literally so.

Sounds like classic "Mustache" to me. Gel coat is more porous than paint, so easier to get dirty and harder to clean. The real question may be what kind of surface treatment is on the hull? One would think it's been polished and waxed since it's been built , so maybe the culprit is that treatment rather than the properties of Ocean Alexander gel coat. There are plenty of tannins in PNW salt water; think about log booms and that foamy yuck on the water near current rips.
Oxalic acid washes will clean the stain off, and you can try to find out what kind of wax most people in the area use.

Oxalic acid. Thank you. I was trying to remember the kind we used in the boatyards to get rid of the tannin stains. With that I just checked and it's considered safe for the environment as it's a natural acid.

There's plenty in Rhubarb, spinach, chard, etc. Very useful compound. Brightens Teak!

I would try a ceramic sealant, on next haul out, clean the hull to remove the discoluration buff the gelcoat to remove scratches and any dirt and get a good shine, then use a ceramic sealant to seal the gelcoat. I have seen very good results on boats with ceramic sealants and nothing sticks to it and wipes away easy. As stated gelcoat is very poris unlike paint.