Trying to optimize across a bunch of different dimple/bump patterns is a great use case for CFD. However, you'd want to validate a CFD model like that against r

Trying to optimize across a bunch of different dimple/bump patterns is a great use case for CFD. However, you'd want to validate a CFD model like that against real world test data (either by running your own tests or by finding test data in the literature). To be clear, I think adding vortex generators to boat propellers is a great idea. But to me the starting place would be a building physical propeller with vortex generators (even if they aren't the perfect vortex generators) and seeing if it has a noticeable impact on boat performance. That would justify the difficulty/time required to build a CFD model which you could use to optimize the design. (I'm saying this given that you don't have experience in CFD and it would be a large outlay of your own time to learn how to use it.)