Sunset / Dinner in New York

Few states hand a boater this much range: salt air off the Atlantic on one end, Great Lakes freshwater horizons on the other, and the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, Peconic Bay, and the Finger Lakes strung between them. Each of those waters behaves differently, and each supports its own network of marinas and charter operators, which is why New York rewards boaters who keep coming back to try the next region.

Start with the salt. Long Island Sound and the Atlantic coast hold some of the state's liveliest boating towns (Sag Harbor, Port Washington, Greenport), where working harbors, well-kept marinas, and a deep charter bench put sailing, powerboating, and coastal town-hopping within easy reach. The tidal water here carries real maritime history with it, and the sheltered coves and anchorages make overnights and island day trips simple to plan.