I've not tried it myself as I found I prefer to put a base further inland to moat/wall it up for safety.

Docks are small with benches to fix up the boat and save parts if destroyed. Typically I will box up my boat rather than leave them out.

it might be easier to set up workbenches on the island chain rather than dig them out... that said though if you do decide to test it please let us know how it worked out for you.

I wouldn't mind putting bases in places like that myself if I felt I could make it secure enough.