Bonnie Castle Yacht Basin Inc

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 Alexandria Bay, you can launch directly onto the St. Lawrence River and cruise among the Thousand Islands. The village waterfront is the simplest starting point: Holland Street and the Crossmon Street Extension are boat-launch sites.

Heart Island is a shore stop with extensive docking for private boats visiting Boldt Castle. The American Narrows, between Wellesley Island and the mainland, is generally deep and well marked, but small islands and shoals border the channel, so it calls for attentive channel cruising. Swan Bay is a shallow inlet and should be treated as shallow water rather than as part of the deep marked passage.

Source: Village of Alexandria Bay (villageofalexandriabay.com)

From Alexandria Bay, boaters go to Heart Island to tour Boldt Castle; Wellesley Island State Park for its marina, sandy river beach and nature center; Mary Island State Park for a boat-only picnic stop with foot trails and places to beach or moor; and Clayton for waterfront shops, dining and the Antique Boat Museum. These stops offer landmark touring, swimming, wooded island time and a river-town visit on the St. Lawrence River.

Source: 1000 Islands International Tourism Council (visit1000islands.com)