Island Yacht Management & Sales

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 Lindenhurst, head down Neguntatogue Creek into Great South Bay; Town of Babylon residents with a launching permit can put in at Venetian Shores Park. Neguntatogue Creek is a small-craft waterway with marina services, while Great South Bay has shoal sections and marked channels. Fox Creek Channel, marked with private seasonal aids, crosses from the creek mouth to the State Boat Channel near Cedar Island. That channel system leads toward Captree State Park, where the boat basin and launch serve trips on Great South Bay, Fire Island Inlet and the Atlantic.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (townofbabylonny.gov)

From Lindenhurst, boaters make Great South Bay day trips to Cedar Beach Marina, Gilgo Beach Marina, Ocean Beach and Sailors Haven. Cedar draws visitors for dockage, a fishing pier and picnic facilities, while Gilgo offers grills, showers and access to both bay and ocean waters. Dockage at both Town marinas is limited to eligible Town of Babylon residents.

Ocean Beach is the waterfront town stop, with a transient marina, restaurants, shops and galleries. Sailors Haven is the nature stop, pairing a public marina and summer beach with the boardwalk through Fire Island’s Sunken Forest.

Source: Town of Babylon (townofbabylonny.gov)