This will sound sarcastic, sorry, no offense intended, but there's no way around it...
Why would you not want to carry lifejackets for overwater flight? The fact that you are within gliding distance of shore does not mean you're going to make it, won't be vectored further than you plan by ATC, or that shore will be the best place to land when you glide to it, and water is still a choice.
Take the lifejackets....