Build your own sound, functional dock that will overcome almost any waterfront challenge with this essential guide. In Building your own Dock you'll find detailed plans, expert tips, advice on building methods, and insight on materials and specialty parts for all the most popular types of docks. Professional dock builder Sam Merriam explains the wide variety of modern docks, from traditional wood structures to modular, pre-built docks made with aluminum, plastic, or composites. Sam helps you design the best kind of dock for your application and waterfront environment as he explains their relative advantages, disadvantages, and customization options. Whether you decide to build your own dock, hire a builder, or purchase a ready-made, this book will reveal your choices, enhance your dock building knowledge, and empower you to create the dock you've always dreamed of.