R J Marine Associates Ltd

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 Clayton, you can boat the St. Lawrence River through the Thousand Islands and follow it toward Lake Ontario, with French Creek Bay, Flynn Bay and Eel Bay offering different day choices. You can start from Clayton’s marina ramps; French Creek Bay is the village’s main recreational boating area.

French Creek Bay is generally navigable, but its southern end and shoreline are shallow, and summer weeds can hamper powerboats. The main river has deep water close to Clayton’s wharves and a marked vessel route. Flynn Bay at Grindstone Island is exposed to current and wave action. Eel Bay by Wellesley Island is shallow and somewhat sheltered. Lake Ontario is the open-water option beyond the river entrance.

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

From Clayton, good St. Lawrence River day trips include Heart Island, Rock Island and Grindstone Island. At Heart Island, private boats can use extensive docks while passengers tour Boldt Castle and its grounds. Rock Island Lighthouse State Park offers private boat dockage, a climb to the lantern room and a museum in the keeper’s quarters. On Grindstone Island, boat-only Canoe Point State Park has ample dock space, while nearby Picnic Point adds a gazebo, picnic area and shore dinner cooking facility for a meal and walk ashore.

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