I've never been out on the ocean in a boat. Just small inlets/intercoastal or whatever they're called.
On the lake (well at least at our end, the "redneck" end of the lake) water is fairly calm and there's a decent amount of boat traffic on any given day. Mostly pontoons and 20 something foot runabouts. On the other end of the lake there are million dollar houses and 45'+ power boats and cruisers. Water's not so calm down there lol. We've been towed back to our dock more times than I can count too, stuck in storms, 100 degree heat, you name it lol. But if by chance there is no one else out you cab call MO water patrol and they'll tow you back. Not sure how much that costs tho.