I see that Scotty "doesn't like the look of dodgers on small boats" and Katy
found them a "drag."
Well, I've had nothing but positive responses on the dodger from 1st hand
observers, but there's the whole beauty/beholder thing. Sure the dodger can get
in the way, but at the start and end of the season, it's great! You can put it
away during the hotter months. Visibility is fine because the fellow who made
it measured window height from the helm seat. Standing, I can see over it just
fine as well. It's not a tall dodger. It made a cold sail pretty warm and the
connecting white awning will make the whole cockpit cooler at anchor. For years
people told me of the virtues, especially for spring and fall. Now I'm a
believer! Foulies and goggles? That's pretty uncomfortable, even with high end
gear like mine (I own a 900.00 Henry Loyd suit as well as lighter stuff). My
main complaint about it is that getting to the mainsheet forces me to bend a
bit more.
Finally...I added the Dodger because it offers a great grip moving around the
cockpit. The outer shelf is covered in a washable leatherett and is strong
enough to do pullups from. Did I mention that you can leave the companionway
hatch open in the rain and not have a wet interior?
It's yet another choice, of course. Usually, people who have them love them.
People who don't sure don't want to spend the cash on one, so they "prefer"
Goggles. I think the price of a new dodger is crazy and I doubt I would have
gotten one if I had to pay for it.

Note the padded grip along the edge

http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/images/al2.jpg

RB
C&C 32 Alien
City Island