Abstract: The ocean surface specular-point scattering modeling and its application methods are important for ocean radar remote sensing at low incidence angles. In this study, an ocean surface specular-point scattering model based on the Gram-Charlier distribution is proposed, and analysis of its polarization characteristic is presented. The comparison results of our model and observations show that they agree well with each other in general, and Wu J's ocean surface mean square slope model performs better in middle and low wind speeds. In addition, the ocean surface specular-point scattering model based on the Gram-Charlier distribution is applied to detection of shallow ocean bottom topography by imaging radar. The feasibility and advantage of this method are verified.