What is that Brown Stain??

[FL~Boater]

I am currently looking into buying a pre-owned boat. I am on the west coast of FL, so most of the boats we have looked at have been in a mix of fresh and salt water. In this area, if someone tells me their boat has only been in fresh water, they may as well tell me a little old lady only drove it to church on Sundays. Anyway, some of the boats we have looked at have a brown ring or stain on the exterior hull around the outdrive (see example attachment photo).

My question, is this something I need to be concerned about? Is it a bad thing? Lastly, what might cause it and will it come off?

The example picture (uploaded as an attachment) is a 2007 Sea Ray with a 100 hours on it. It has been stored in a high-and-dry throughout its life.
Any thoughts or help are appreciated!

 

[Philster]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

My boat is stored on a rack inside, is used twice a week in salt water and is cleaned the moment it leaves the water and the hull has a very light stain and various darker ones like that. She is in the water for about six hours per use.

I see it so much I consider it common.

 

[Wingnutt]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

I don't know what could cause that stain, I'm sure someone with much more knowledge that I will tell you. Personally, I would be much more concerned how that much water got into the bilge!

 

[45Auto]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

Could easily be just water staining. Get some Atwood Hull Cleaner from Walmart, dampen a paper towel and lightly wipe the stain with it. It'll probably come right off.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

Whoever cleans/waxes this boat probably uses a powerbuffer and cant get that close to the housing. Try and clean it off, if it comes off no big deal.

 

[pinecrestwoods]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

Just simple water staining. No cause for worry. If you catch it when it is light like that, it should come off with a decent hull cleaner. My boat was not cleaned well before I got it, and the deposits got pretty heavy. I ended up using a muriatic acid solution to get it- that's the ONLY way I could get it to budge, and I tried several things- "hull cleaner" didn't even touch it.

And where is all of that water draining from? After removal of the plug? That seems like a lot of water to me, too.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

Brown water, minerals in the water and their various reactions to fiberglass and dissimilar metals, will produce a variety of icky stains and colors on your new boat.

Get some StarBrite hull cleaner and put it in a spray bottle. Spray it on the stains, wait a few minutes, and hose it off. Should take care of all of it.

It's acid, so protect your skin and eyes.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

Alot of times in the rivers and lakes in Florida you can get that brown type of stain due to tannins in the water(basically decaying organic materal). Kind of give the water a tea looking color.

Where we boat this is a very common thing. We call it the Suwannee scum. Probably that is what you are dealing with. It will clean off with some of the hull cleaners listed. I personally use On/Off hull cleaner. Be careful with it though. Easiest way to combat it is to just wipe it off when you pull the boat out each time. Even then you will still get some discoloration, at the end of the season it just requires a major cleaning. No big deal.
Good luck.

 

[Philster]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

Last year, I did nothing and the lighter/broader staining simply faded. Yes, the darker spots near things like the drive are harder to clean, but not much of a big deal.

Not much to worry about at all.

 

[FL~Boater]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

Thanks to each of you for your feedback and cleaning advice.

It would seem the consensus is that the stain is not an indication of a problem with the hull, transom, out drive or anything else major. It is just a result of the water and other elements. Should I decide to take a look at this boat in person, I will take one of the noted cleaners with me and see if it rubs off. Come to think of it, I will take some cleaner with me to look at any boat. I guess that would be one way of seeing the difference of surface water scum verses stains which are into the gel coat.

On a side note, I hadn?t really paid attention to the amount of water coming out of the boat. I can tell you it is on a fork lift and was probably just pulled from the water. Again, if I do end up looking at it, will certainly give that a closer look.

Again, thanks to all that responded.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

Thanks to each of you for your feedback and cleaning advice.

It would seem the consensus is that the stain is not an indication of a problem with the hull, transom, out drive or anything else major. It is just a result of the water and other elements. Should I decide to take a look at this boat in person, I will take one of the noted cleaners with me and see if it rubs off. Come to think of it, I will take some cleaner with me to look at any boat. I guess that would be one way of seeing the difference of surface water scum verses stains which are into the gel coat.

On a side note, I hadn?t really paid attention to the amount of water coming out of the boat. I can tell you it is on a fork lift and was probably just pulled from the water. Again, if I do end up looking at it, will certainly give that a closer look.

Again, thanks to all that responded.

Generally when a stain like that occurs close to a raw edge, mildew, or possibly decay comes to mind. The decay, of course, would not be the FRP, but the substrate (IE. wood). The same phenomenon will occur when water seeps into a linoleum flooring seam, even if it is laid on a slab. Sometimes it is purely a cosmetic irritation, but don't take it for granted. Let's hope your stain is superficial and can be rubbed away, otherwise it could go much deeper. I have a sneaking suspicion that something is causing a bleed-through.

 

[FL~Boater]

Re: What is that Brown Stain??

Capt'n Chris, thank you for your thoughts on it. I do appreciate it. With your comments, plus those from the other folks, I guess the best way to approach it is: if the stain rubs off (with some water or a mild cleaner), it is probably OK. However, if it does not, probably best to walk away.

Thanks again to each of you for your comments and suggestions. If you think of anything else, please pass it along.