Riverdale Yacht Club 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 the Bronx, you can boat on Eastchester Bay and City Island Harbor, continue into Long Island Sound, paddle the Bronx River, or use the Harlem River corridor. Around City Island, small craft use boat clubs and railways; the channel beside Rodman Neck is no-wake, while City Island Harbor is sheltered. Eastchester Bay is shallow, with shoals and wrecks.

Paddlers can put in at Concrete Plant Park for the tidal lower Bronx River, or use the floating docks at Roberto Clemente State Park. From the Harlem River, powered boats can reach the Hudson through Spuyten Duyvil Creek or head toward Hell Gate and the East River, where currents and traffic require caution.

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

Boaters leaving the Bronx can make day trips on Long Island Sound to New Rochelle Municipal Marina, Mamaroneck Harbor and Port Washington on Manhasset Bay. New Rochelle welcomes transient boaters and puts groceries and local entertainment within walking distance. Mamaroneck Harbor draws crews to Harbor Island Park, with a public fishing dock and village restaurants and shops nearby. Port Washington’s Town Dock overlooks Manhasset Bay, sits close to Main Street and offers dockage, moorings and a pumpout station.

Source: City of New Rochelle (newrochelleny.gov)