How often do you deploy or spend time out on the water when in the Navy?

Depends on the rating. As an RP, you will do 3 year tours. 36 months sea/36 months shore (however, due to the limited about of sea billets for RPs, OCONUS billets tend to suffice.)

I spent a LOT of time at sea, but I used it wisely i.e. Working on ESWS, the next higher pay grade, going to school, finishing a book I wanted read. Granted you will spend a lot of time on watches (depending on your rating) but when you are on deployment it's good to make the most of the time you have been given to get things done. You know when they ask you "Where do you want to see yourself in 20 years?" Get that done on deployment lol. It's very peaceful being out at sea in the deep ocean especially before the sun sets and they call darken ship. I always like to go out to the wing walls or the flight deck and reflect before we hit the Persian Gulf and things got a little hectic. One of the best decisions I've made in life was the Navy hands down, not all them time it was fantastic but I've gone very far because of it. I'm going to a school that my parents would have never been able to afford for me to attend because it's $41,000 a year (Otterben University). I'm also going there for free the only thing I pay for is my parking pass and maybe a little extra for my books.

You didn't mention that you checked out the USCG. Go ahead with your plan, that's fine. I was in your shoes 47 years ago. I realized the error of my ways fourteen years later. After that, it was twenty years of pure enjoyment.....and the same pay and benefits!!!