This may be old school.. but I had always been told that wax would actually slow the boat down.. That a lightly wet sanded boat was better, cause it would create tiny air pockets that would create less water resistance. Is this an urban myth?
I've seen nothing but theory regarding this as it relates to detatched and/or laminar flow on a surface vessel - nothing tested and proven. In my, somewhat flow educated, opinion there is probably something to this to a fully submerged object like a submarine but as it relates to a surface piercing hull and it would have very little and unmeasureable effect.
If it actually made a difference, where is the tank testing to prove it? During the last America's Cup, one team had a clear finished carbon boat (I don't recall who that was). As the event went on and they didn't put up the results, you could see their boat get chalkier and chalkier as they resorted to wetsanding as a last ditch effort.
I think it's more of a wive's tale started by some theory that is better applied under other circumstances.
