Freedom Boat Club Canandaigua

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 Canandaigua, launch directly onto Canandaigua Lake at Canandaigua Lake State Marine Park; paddlers can also put in at City Pier. The main body of the lake is the open-water choice, while nearby Skenoh Island is a boat-access-only wildlife area. The Canandaigua Outlet and Lagoon Park offer a calmer, sheltered paddle. Onanda Park is a shoreline stop for swimming or resting on the lawn. For a longer small-craft outing, West River and the High Tor area provide sheltered, flatter water and wildlife viewing. These destinations connect through Canandaigua Lake as out-and-back trips.

Source: New York State Parks (parks.ny.gov)

From Canandaigua, boaters can make Canandaigua Lake day trips to Skenoh Island, Lakefront Park and Lagoon Park. Skenoh Island is accessible only by boat and offers shallow-water fishing and wildlife watching. Lakefront Park has a public dock, fishing outlook and picnic areas for a shoreside break. Small craft can enter the Canandaigua Outlet from the Lakefront Park launch and explore Lagoon Park by water, where wetlands, nature trails, bridges and overlooks create a quieter nature stop.

Source: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (dec.ny.gov)