In last week's contest, we asked you to give us your best boating tip – the most important bit of expertise you'd impart to a new boater if you could.

As usual, you did not disappoint.

Our contest drew more than 1,000 readers to the site and garnered more than 100 entries, which covered topics such as maintenance, cleaning, buying, equipping, piloting – just about everything that bedevils boat owners.

Some were elegant in their simplicity, such as reader Tom Webb's observation, "Never approach a dock faster than you want to hit it," and Glenn Gordon's advice, "Don't forget to put the drain plug in."

Some hit a little too close to home, like David Howe's suggestion to "sell the boat and take up golf," or Philip Miller's advice, "don't buy a boat – you'll end up hating the ocean, and all your friends."

Some even conflicted. While Ken Walker cautioned, "Never go out under the influence," John Green suggested, "Never underestimate the amount of rum that you should bring."

It was a tough to choose the winners. But as promised, we have published a sample of the tips here, including our top three. The winners will receive a West Marine Mini Dinghy, an Icom M34 floating handheld VHF, and a Norcross DF 2200PX handheld depthfinder. Even if you didn't win, everyone who entered gets a free one-year subscription to Mad Mariner – our way of saying thanks.

We also held many submissions – including most of the do-it-yourself items – in reserve, to be published in our weekly tips column. That feature will now showcase your ideas, so keep an eye on it.

You may not agree with every piece of advice here, but it is clear that people put some time into these – and, agree or not, they do get you thinking. We hope you enjoy them.

Kids must wear lifejackets on boats, but: Would you wear the damp, scratchy, stiff lifejacket you just pulled out of that moldy compartment? Ugh.

Many parents have a rule that kids don lifejackets before they leave the car. If your marina or yacht club has a clubhouse, request kid-height hooks at the door: The lifejacket goes on before the kid goes outside.

The lifejackets must fit properly, and if they're infant lifejackets, they must have a strap between the legs and a handle on the back so you can pull your child out of the water if necessary.

Make it easy, comfortable and fun to wear a lifejacket, and your kid will reward you by wearing it. Remember to dish out praise every time he or she puts it on without being asked.

And if you ever question the cost of high-quality lifejackets, remember you get a whole season of kid safety for the price of one day's worth of powerboat gas or a fraction of the cost of any sail you'll ever own.

– Heather Fraser

As a new sailor, my best advice is don't be afraid to make a mistake. Never be afraid to come back from a trip looking stupid. I've returned from a sail with the sails wrapped around the mast; my dog sunk my sailing dinghy at the dock trying to escape; the wind blew the boat off the trailer; and I've had numerous other minor disasters. Each time, I learned. Each time I became a better boater. Getting discouraged is part of the game. Keep your mind open and learn. Winston Churchill said, "Never, ever give up." Neither should you.

– Charles Valley

Falling in love with sailing or a boat is like falling in love period. You can't explain it or even understand it – it just is. Some combination of emotion and sensation drives you to spend, and you don't even care. As Robert Palmer put it, "She's so fine there's no telling where the money went!"

Soon after the infatuation and blind puppy love period is over, it is all work and learning, and your passion can morph into another series of projects. My tip is this: When it is time to work on the boat, work on the boat. But when it is time to get on the water, then stop thinking about the next project and just soak up the experience.

As the water slides past the hull with the sails full of breeze and the helm is talking to you, listen – be there. All the work is for those moments. You can think about replacing a halyard block or waxing the topsides later. Enjoy.

– Craig Alger

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Let's say you've just completed classes at the local sailing school, and you and the wife and kids are itching to buy a boat. Your broker is ready to close a deal, too. Stop right there!

Instead, charter a boat to take the family out for a week and see how it goes. If you aren't divorced at the end of the week, you will know what your priorities are in a boat: bigger galley, two heads, sloop vs. schooner, etc.

We have all seen the poor fellow in the boatyard bemoaning the fact that he loves to sail, but he is a solo sailor because the family just does not enjoy it as much as he does. Give it a try before you buy, and make everyone happy.

– Mike Craig

A boat should never be an impulse purchase. You should carefully research and understand the commitment you are making both in terms of time and long-term expense. That lovely old woody will make a fine restoration project – for someone. Are you that someone? Are you really?

The key to success in most ventures is preparation. Nowhere is this truer than in boating. Have you prepared yourself and your family for the adventure upon which you are embarking? Have you taken a boating-safety course? Do you know the Rules of the Road? Have you chartered a vessel, or crewed extensively with a knowledgeable friend?

Investing a little time and money in these endeavors will not only make your boating experiences safer, but also be much more enjoyable.

Welcome to world of boating. May you have fair skies and following seas, and may the wind be forever at your back.

– Michael Stovall