: Isn't this a similar effect to the dimples on a golf ball? They are
: supposed to make a golf ball fly farther by creating
: micro-vortexes of "dirty air" around the ball,
: allowing it slip through the air easier. Also kind of like how
: boats staying in another boats wake can go faster, or
: slip-streaming in cars/bikes.

Actually it's funny you mention it because there have been attempts at making dimpled surfboards for the same reason. Dimples probably are more for planing hulls and higher speeds, but it is the same principle. There are powerboats out there with dimpled hulls. Also they have learned that sharkskin has tiny vortex generating scales that do the same for a shark. Maybe we need a sharkskin-covered SOF test! LOL