Hey Mark B...
Check out this oldie: Using Footers or Sinking Posts thread
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and this one: Building a Pier thread
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and my favorite, (you probably already saw): Launch and Dock Construction thread
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and this outfit, too: Tommy Docks
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Also, in my neck of the woods, Menards is a very popular home center. They actually stock alot of the fittings for docks supports in some of their larger stores. They also have a deal with a manufacturer for custom docks (both floating and bottom-supported)