Black Hall Outfitters

Connecticut DEEP’s minimum operating age depends on vessel type. To operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower alone, an operator must be at least 12 and hold an SBC or CPWO; under 12 requires an onboard certificate holder age 18 or older. Under 16 without a certificate, a person may operate a non-PWC vessel only under direct supervision of someone 18 or older who has held a boating certificate for two years. A PWC operator under 16 needs onboard supervision by someone at least 18 who holds a CPWO. At 16, that supervision requirement ends. Confirm the rental operator’s minimum when booking.

Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (portal.ct.gov)

Yes. Connecticut generally requires a boating certificate rather than a license, with no birth date cutoff. Connecticut residents, real property owners and operators of Connecticut registered vessels need an SBC or CPWO for motorboats or sailboats 19½ feet or longer. Personal watercraft operators need a CPWO or an accepted reciprocal certificate.

Children under 12 cannot operate over 10 horsepower without a certified adult onboard. Operators under 16 need adult supervision onboard a personal watercraft; for other vessels, they may operate uncertified under a qualified adult. Non-PWC rentals from a boat livery for 14 days or less are exempt. Temporary certificates are available to qualifying new boat owners. Connecticut DEEP administers the program.

Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (portal.ct.gov)

From Westbrook, you can follow the Patchogue River or Menunketesuck River into Duck Island Roads and Long Island Sound; Messerschmidt Pond is the separate freshwater option. Small craft facilities serve both coastal rivers. Patchogue has a marked dredged channel, while Menunketesuck is shallow and suits small boats or paddlers using Kirtland Landing near the Salt Meadow marsh; both rivers have a six mph limit. Duck Island Roads offers a breakwater-protected anchorage, although the protected area is subject to shoaling and an anchorage there is exposed to southerly winds. Messerschmidt Pond has a carry-in launch and permits electric motors only.

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

From Westbrook, boaters can take day trips to Duck Island Roads, Clinton Harbor and North Cove in Old Saybrook. Duck Island Roads is the local anchorage choice, sheltered by the Duck Island and Kelsey Point breakwaters. Clinton Harbor offers a protected stop at the town marina, with overnight dockage, a snack bar and restaurants within walking distance. North Cove, on the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, provides an excellent small-boat anchorage, transient moorings and town-dock access; Main Street has provisions, restaurants and coffee shops.

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