Leeward Cove Marina

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 Patchogue, boat down the Patchogue River’s marked federal channel through Patchogue Bay into Great South Bay, then choose a bay cruise or a Fire Island stop. Sandspit Marina is a practical Patchogue starting point, with boat slips and seasonal and transient docking.

The river is the confined approach; Great South Bay is broader cruising water, but its southeast and southwest portions are shoal, so follow marked channels. Watch Hill offers a developed marina, summer beach and visitor amenities, while Davis Park is another public Fire Island marina that may accommodate nonresident boats. Anchoring is also allowed offshore, outside channels, in much of the bay.

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

From Patchogue, boaters cross Great South Bay for Fire Island stops such as Watch Hill, Davis Park and Sailors Haven. Watch Hill draws crews with a transient marina, limited food service, ranger programs and a summer lifeguarded beach. Davis Park pairs a Town of Brookhaven marina with a public beach accessible by private boat. Sailors Haven offers a public marina and a boardwalk through the Sunken Forest, plus picnic facilities and a summer beach.

Source: National Park Service (home.nps.gov)