New York Marine Trades Association

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)

New York’s best boating choices span several distinct water types: Long Island Sound for coastal water, the Peconic Bays for bay cruising on eastern Long Island, and the Hudson River for a tidal river trip through the Hudson Valley. Inland, Great Sacandaga Lake offers broad reservoir boating in the Adirondack foothills, while the Fulton Chain of Lakes provides connected lake boating in the central Adirondacks. Together, these waters offer saltwater, estuary, river, reservoir and linked lake settings for a day on the water.

Source: I LOVE NY (dec.ny.gov)

New York’s most popular boating destinations include Lake George, known for Adirondack mountain scenery, island camping and cruises; Alexandria Bay and Clayton, gateways to the Thousand Islands, St. Lawrence River fishing and island castles; Montauk, for its working harbor, ocean trips and whale watching; Sag Harbor, for its seafaring history and sailboat views across the bay; and New York City’s Hudson River waterfront, where paddlers and boaters can take in the Manhattan skyline.

Source: New York State Division of Tourism (iloveny.com)