Sorry just going to go off topic here.
Buster, if you sand your golf balls smooth then yes you will get a longer driving distance, but you will find it harder to hit the ball straight and get any bite on the greens.
Now I could be wrong about this, but I believe the theory behind a rough surface for a yacht is that it creates tiny bubbles behind the ridge, meaning less friction as the hull is rubbing against air not water. Look at the hull of any Class 1 offshore powerboat or hydroplane and you will see that they have a stepped hull. These steps are positioned where the hull comes into contact with the water when the boat is up on the plane. Again, these steps allow the formation of air pockets behind them thus reducing friction.
Sorry, just felt the need to say this...
Oh, I would like to point out the difference between the above examples and the state of the crank just so it doesn't seem like I am rambling too much.