Well, that tufting experiment proved very little, except that you can helm well, and thankfully cost you very little too, except time.

TBH the only time I've seen my telltales (on the Bermudan rig) fly upwards is when I've sheeted in too much or heeled too much or if I'm really pointing a bit too high (on the jib).

Maybe the higher pressure flow on the windward side to the leeward side occurs further out from the sail as the simple blocking effect of the sail and battens tends to straighten the airflow rearward right at the sail?.

Maybe your videos will reveal more, when watched it slo-mo.

Paul thanks, for doing it.

PS: Do you wear a smoking when smoking?

Haha, Jan

our Viking English may sometimes sound   -  er  -  different.

Btw. how is your Norwegian?

Arne...

..must go and smoke some herrings...

Maybe a bee smoker?

Can produce lots of smoke from cardboard, though they can get quite hot.

I'm a beekeeper, so for once I might be able to offer some advice on this forum :)

When smoking bees, you want the smoke to be cool, white and thick, and easy to control with the bellows. We use fuels that smolder slowly and pack the smoker so that it will last a long time, not burning too fast and not dying out when you need it the most (which of course it does). When resting, it should only release a whisper of smoke, and a few puffs should produce a nice cloud of smoke quickly.

I test the smoke on the back of my hand before using it on the stinging insects, they do not like hot smoke in their face. The smoker itself does get very hot, so one should be careful not to put it down where it can burn or melt stuff. You shouldn't see sparks, but you might if you haven't loaded it correctly. A great trick is to stuff some green grass in the spout, acting as a filter.

Packing, lighting and keeping a smoker lit is an artform that took me years to master. Everybody has their techniques and favorite fuels. My favorites are old pine cones, grey egg cartons and beech wood chips. The latter is the most luxurious – it smells great and lasts a long time, being the very same stuff they use to smoke meats.

If I had to pick one, I'd go with egg cartons. I always carry it as a backup and use it to light the smoker. It might work on its own, eg. in a saucepan, if you want to give it a try. I wouldn't use cardboard.

With all that said, why not invite a beekeeper on board? If I were in the area, I'd be happy to smoke your junk sails… Now that's a weird sentence.

I agree with Jan, I would let the coast guard know you're not on fire, because it might look that way.

David D., I am most thankful for your critical comment about ruining Ilvy's sail with smoke. That's why also I am strongly favouring water vapour over smoke. 

If I would buy one of those machines, Mauro and Len, it will have to wait until our cruise is over (not a hindrance from my side to do it in winter. Water vapour will be better visible in cold weather anyways.). This is nothing to be done in one afternoon...

Jan, that would be a reasonable action. However, if using dedicated vapour machines and a long smoke lance, I wouldn't expect the amount of smoke to be that huge.