Setting up Docks and decks

I am new to SL and would like to hear best pratices for setting up Docks and Decking for an island I am working on.

Well, if you want to look at a pretty realistic example, come to the SW corner of the Desire sim, and look at the docks that I am working on for a client. *grins* Look for a building on tall pilings, with a terra cotta tiled parking lot on top, and an elevaror to the docks at the water's edge.

There are some good textures in the Library, among the 'Atoll' texture sets, that work great for the part of the dock support posts that are below the water line. There are other textures, like 'old wood', that do well for the above-water part of the post. The texture in the 'buildings' section of the Library Textures for 'Wood Flooring' maked great planks for docks and decks, if properly scaled, and darkened with a medium-brown tint.

I made brass 'boat cleats' for tying up boats, using three prims each. They don't do anything but look pretty, but they add a lot visually to the realism.

I built a large dock in the Badger sim. I sold it to some friends but its still there and sits on the water at the edge of the sim. Darker wood -- its the one w/o the steps. However there are two docks there that would be good examples for you.