Oregon

There are many things to be proud of in the Portland/Vancouver Metro area, and we pride ourselves on being the best.  That’s why we have the biggest out-of-water boat show west of the Mississippi.  You don’t want to miss the 49^th Annual Portland Boat Show.  This year at the Portland Expo Center browse through 369,000 square feet of aquatic amazement.  If you can use it on, in, or under the water, you’ll find it at the 2009 Portland Boat Show.

This year, the Oregon State Marine Board will be holding Equivalency Exams.  The Oregon State Marine Board will be holding Equivalency Exams this year.  The exam is a 75 question test with multiple choice questions that cover a boater’s knowledge of water safety.  Most questions are about power boating, but some will cover personal watercraft and sailboats, and takes 30-40 minutes.  Even if you are a skilled boater, the Oregon State Marine Board is suggesting that you study if you plan to take this exam, or to take Boat Oregon to learn how to be a responsible boater.  This course is available from the Marine Board or the local Marine Patrol Office.  For more information on how to take your free exam to get your boating license, look on the web at   http://www.otshows.com/PBS/seminar_schedules.htm .

Equivalence Exam times are as follows:

Saturday, January 3^rd, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday, January 4^th, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Monday-Friday, January 5^th-9^th, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Saturday January 10^th- 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday, January 11^th, 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

When you arrive, go to the Boating Resource Center at the Marine Board counter during these times and follow the proctor’s instructions.  If you pass the test, you will receive a Boater Education Card application to fill out and mail in.  The cost to receive your card is $10, and must accompany the application that you mail in.  To learn more, visit http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/BoatEd/ClassDescription1.shtml. on the web.

Even if you’re not interested in taking the test, there will be fun for the whole family at the Portland Boat Show this year.  Whether you’re a boat owner, a first time buyer, or you just love the sights and sounds of boats, this is an event that you don’t want to miss. 

Learn about the River Boat Patrol and see ships from the Vietnam Era.  Learn about what they do and who was on board.  See what the US Navy has to bring to the table as they strut their stuff this year.  Kids 15 years and under are invited to build and take home a sailboat or a speed boat from wood with hand tools and expert help. 

The Portland Boat Show is located at the Portland Expo Center at 2060 North Marine Drive, Portland, Oregon, 97217.  Click here for directions to the show.  For more information about the show, call (503)246-8291, email info@otshow.com, or find them on the web at http://otshows.com/PBS/ .

For a discount coupon for weekday savings, click here.

This year, the Portland Boat Show starts January 3^rd and runs through January 11^th.

Hours are as follows:

January 3^rd -11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

January 4^th -11 a.m. to 6 p.m.   

January 5^th-9^th -2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

January 10^th -11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

January 11^th -11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grab your captain’s hat and head down to the Expo Center, get a Boater’s License, and pick out a boat.  You know this year’s Portland Boat Show is going to be big.

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