BOATING -- Get more bang for your buck by multitasking at the Spokane National Boat Show, which opens Friday and runs through Feb. 6 at Spokane Interstate Fair and Expo Center.

The eight-hour America’s Boating Course, which satisfies Washington’s mandatory boater education requirements, will be offered during the show in two-hour segments on four consecutive days Monday-Thursday, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The classes will be taught by the Spokane Sail & Power Squadron. Cost: $48 or $40 for youths under 18.

Preregister to get free admission to the boat show. If you register at the show, you’ll have to  pay the first-day’s admission but will get in free the remaining days.

Contact: Jim Roeber, 328-6165 or the Power Squadrons club house, 929 W. Jackson Ave.

Washington's boating safety requirement schedule

Following is the phase-in schedule for Washington's requirement that boat operators carry a card showing they have passed a certified boater safety course.

Year  / Age group
2011 / 35 years and younger
2012 / 40 years and younger
2013 / 50 years and younger
2014 / 59 years and younger

After 2014, requirement applies to any boater born after Dec. 31, 1954.