Mary, I was aboard the Caliente last summer just before her first race, the Queens Cup. I was crewing on a F-24 at the time. Caliente hadn't made it to her home port of Chicago yet. The owner & Trey were still installing some electronics and other last minute items.

I have been across Lake MI (east to west) at least 24 times on monohulls & Tris 24' to 68', never had the chance to do the Chicago to Mac. On all the boats I have been on, before dark all crew members are to wear life jackets with strobes & whistles, (Skippers rules). Harnesses are optional. Winter coats & hats in June are not uncommon at night on the lake. Hypothermia is a big factor on the lake. Lake MI gets just as bad or worst than any ocean for wave height and steepness. Storms can be sudden and winds can gust to 70 MPH and sustain at 30+.

Wear your lifejacket
Look at the horizon for any weather
Reef early
Survival (Mustang)suits are ideal (@ $500 - $800)

They should be thankful they were on a Tri, Upside down it is a very stable platform. (A Monohull would be on the bottom of the lake ). At the height the boat was when upside down it was better than any life raft which is required gear for the Chicago to Mac Race.