Most boaters appreciate a good story. From extreme weather and extremely close calls to big mistakes and big fish, the tales you hear on the dock are always some of the best.

So we at Mad Mariner had an idea: Why not collect some of these yarns – and then reward the best storyteller among you?

Thus we give you Mad Mariner's first essay contest, an opportunity to tell some tales and win some gear as we wait for the weather to let us get back on the boat.

The idea here is simple, and we chose the question accordingly: Tell us your scariest moment out on the water.

Use this form to submit your essay. Only one essay per person is allowed. We request your e-mail so that we can notify winners. Any entry using false information will be disqualified.

Essays need not be long. In fact, two or three paragraphs will do. They also don't have to be fancy or the stuff of legend. Most of us are basic boaters – day trips with a smattering of overnights, weekenders and extended cruises. And most of us have been run down by storms, gotten lost, come into strange ports in the dead of night, run aground or even fallen overboard. There are dramatic moments in everyone's on-the-water resume.

We'll collect these tales over the next two weeks, and our editors will select the best. On January 19, we'll announce the winners and publish some of the work. First prize is an Icom M34 handheld floating VHF, worth about $150. Second prize is a Norcross DF 2200PX handheld depthfinder, valued at about $90. And third prize is an Edson Sportsman Series PowerKnob for your steering wheel, worth about $60.

To enter, simply read the rules and fill in the form on this page with your essay before the deadline at midnight on January 15. There is no obligation to buy anything, and this is not a marketing exercise. All we want from you are some good stories – we'll take it from there. If you win, we'll notify you and send you your prize.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ESSAY?

Because Mad Mariner's editors are judging the contest, it's only fair to say a few words about what we think makes a good yarn. We even have some examples. They may be extreme – few among us have this many good tales to tell – but they give you an idea.

What we're after is something with a thrill factor. As we all know, that can occur in many different situations.

For example, there's weather. Consider the story by Mad Mariner writer Jim Haynie about the time his 37-foot sailboat Serene Zelda was knocked down in a white squall while sailing in the Chesapeake Bay. The boat was pelted by hail as big as golf balls (we have pictures) as the crew held on for dear life. READ MORE

There are also man-overboard situations. Check out Bill Biewenga's piece on all the man-overboard drills he has experienced in a long career, including his account of Olivier Moussy, the French skipper who rescued two men – two –swimming in the middle of the ocean before being lost at sea himself. READ MORE

Then there are the tales involving creatures with mighty big teeth. Captain Rich, one of Mad Mariner's readers, told a tale of diving for abalone near San Francisco and having to hide in a crevice 20 feet below the surface as a 20-foot Great White shark passed a few feet in front of him – and kept circling back. READ MORE

Again, these are all pretty dramatic tales. But there are good stories to be shared no matter where you boat or what you ride. So think about your experiences, and tell us about one – maybe you'll win something.