Raj,
If you do the stall/falling leaf into the water you will die. If you ditch in the middle of Lake Michigan, you will die. Ok, maybe I should say you will more than likely die. Hate to be so blunt but DO NOT fly across Lake Michigan, there is a lot of cold water there even in July. The Lake Michigan shoreline around Chicago is a fun flight, I do it often. As far as going to Block Island and MV, fly as high as you can, say at least 10,000' or more or what ever altitude is required so you can glide to the other side. Take into consideration headwind/tailwind and the altitude an 180 degree turn will cost you in the event you have to return to the shore behind you.
Some people don't take seriously enough the dangers of flying over water. Unless you execute the ditching perfectly you will probably knock yourself out, not be able to exit the airplane and die. I have lost friends in water.
Now, if you are still inclined to fly over water in which you will not be able to make the suitable landable shore line you need to practice power off landings. Get good at them, practicing at idle will be ok for training purposes. Start on downwind and move the throttle to idle, fly base and final at idle power. Extend full flaps and practice 3 point landings, preferably with the tailwheel touching first, if you are actually ditching, you want to hit the water as slow as possible, this simulates this. Remember, no power allowed in these practice landings. Notice I said 3 point and not "full stall", in all my years of flying I have never landed an airplane that the wing was fully stalled upon touch down. The only thing I have ever landed in which the wing was fully stalled is a high performance hang glider and that took an aggressive flare to accomplish. I wish this term would go away, it is about as stupid as the term "air pocket" and "tail spin". Anyway enough of that rant.
Once you get very proficient at these power off landings you will have a better idea what is required to make a sucessful ditching. Now, since the Husky lands slower than most, your chances of survival is better than in most airplanes. Your Bushwheel's will help a little but don't count on much help, the water will be rough and any sort of "waterski" effect will be non existent.
Before you can use life vests and rafts you need to keep from getting knocked unconscious in the ditching. Getting out will be a very stressful thing bordering on panic. Have you gone thru a ditching training seminar? If not, you should. Getting to a raft behind you will be almost impossible. Your chances are slim and if the water is anything but warm you will have exposure and hypothermia issues to contend with while you are floating in the water. Your life vest did inflate didn't it? Hope it didn't get punctured or damaged on the way out of the sinking airplane. Do you have your beacon with you on your person? I think by now you get my point, don't fly over water unless you can glide to shore. By the way, 3 blade MT props really cut down on glide angle/ratio over other props, great props but not for extending your glide.
Now, all of that being said, there have been many successful ditching's but the chances are stacked against you. Do you feel lucky? You have to weigh the risks vs the reward. Many people have flown over water for years without a problem however I for one avoid it. Sorry to be so blunt but trying to give you the honest truth about flying over water and what can happen in the event of an engine failure or other problem that will require a ditching.
Kurt
PS, Raj, glad you are thinking about these things and glad you asked, that is how we learn. Have fun, fly safe!
