John, It gets very cold (my experience, over 32 cross lake races, no Ch-Mac yet)at night. Thermal long underware and a winter coat or layers are not out of the question. True about the flies as well. The motion is very diferent on a mono so do bring and take the motion sickness pills as a precaution. Wear a life jacket as the water is low 50s. Get some padded shorts or pants, your going to have a sore rear as rail meat. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> BTW: Just back from a cruise, Muskegon to Mac Island as crew on a F-28. The shoreline and Islands are very nice. Be careful through Grays Reef. Hope you have 12 - 18 from the southwest.