Have you flown there before?

Staying afloat is the least of your problems if you have to ditch between here and there. Hypothermia is a big threat. As you are crossing, you have to plan for an engine-out procedure just as you do over terra firma. Only, over water, you want to ditch in front of a boat if possible.

Anything that will keep you bobbing for less than half an hour will be fine. Wear an international orange hat.

This advice is for the specific SoCal to KAVX route in question.

Pat

p.s.: I didn't mean to reply to Izzy's post. I hit the wrong button.