Raw Denim

I bought some Edwin 503s in Japan a couple of years ago and they haven’t faded much. I think I’ve soaked them 4 or 5 times. I’m not an every day jeans wearer so that may be the reason they are taking longer. Anyway I live on a sailboat and water is scarce. I talked to an old salt one who said he drags his jeans behind the boat when they are in crystal clear waters to clean them. This sounds like it could create some cool fades but also like it could potentially destroy my jeans. Anybody got any experience with this?