Sheldrake Yacht Club

New York's only statutory rental age is for personal watercraft and specialty prop-craft: Navigation Law §73-a bars a livery from renting one to anyone under sixteen, and in the same clause requires genuine proof of identification and age plus compliance with the boating safety certificate rule in section 49. A personal watercraft renter over eighteen may skip that certificate only where the livery keeps them within five hundred feet of the agent assigned to supervise, on a clearly marked craft.

Operating age is separate. Section 49 sets ten years for a mechanically propelled vessel and fourteen for a personal watercraft, each with a certificate; a personal watercraft operator may instead be accompanied by a certificate holder over eighteen. Rental companies set their own minimum age.

Source: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (nysenate.gov)

Yes, but New York calls it a Safe Boating Certificate rather than a boating license. The state generally requires recreational operators of motorized vessels to complete a state-approved course and carry the original certificate, including for personal watercraft. Operators of other motorboats must be at least 10, while PWC operators must be at least 14. Renters age 18 or older may operate a livery motorboat without a certificate after receiving basic instruction and safety information; a rented PWC may be operated without one only within a marked area near the livery. Renters under 18 need a certificate, and no one under 16 may rent a PWC at all. Course graduates receive a temporary certificate valid for 90 days. Valid U.S. Coast Guard operator licensees are exempt. New York State Parks administers the program.

Source: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (parks.ny.gov)

From Mamaroneck, you can launch into Mamaroneck Harbor and continue into Long Island Sound, with Larchmont Harbor, Horseshoe Harbor and Milton Harbor as nearby alternatives. Mamaroneck Harbor has a marked channel and shelters boats from northerly weather but is exposed in southerly winds; its 5 mph limit makes it a slow start. Long Island Sound is the open-water option beyond the harbor.

Larchmont Harbor is a busy summer mooring and anchorage area, Horseshoe Harbor is a small-boat anchorage, and Milton Harbor offers small pleasure boats protection from most winds. Trailer boaters can use Harbor Island Park’s public ramp; Mamaroneck Harbor also has numerous marinas.

Source: Village of Mamaroneck and NOAA Office of Coast Survey, villageofmamaroneckny.gov and nauticalcharts.noaa.gov (villageofmamaroneckny.gov)

From Mamaroneck, boaters can make short Long Island Sound trips to Larchmont Harbor, Echo Bay, Execution Rocks Light and City Island. Larchmont Harbor offers an established anchorage among summer moorings; Echo Bay provides a small craft anchorage and access to New Rochelle’s municipal marina; Execution Rocks Light makes a distinctive offshore sightseeing destination; and City Island draws crews with its waterfront seafood restaurants, marinas and maritime character. Each offers a different outing without turning the day into a long coastal passage.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)