We had a dodger that just covered the
companionway on our Westsail.
being so narrow. it didn't affect forward vision enough to even mention. It did give a place to sit on watch, out of the elements, going to
weather or when it was ugly out. It also allowed us to leave the companionway open during rainstorms and inclement
weather at
anchor. This was a must have as the
boat got real stuffy instantly with the companionway closed. We made it really easy to fold down but never did in two years of cruising.
My
current boat has a full width dodger and I really don't like it except when it rains. Even though the windows have just been replaced, can't see clearly through it. When it's up, find myself constantly having to look around it for traffic. It's too tall for me to see over unless I stand on the
cockpit seats. It was designed flat across the top. In the rain at the marina, the material sags and
water pools dripping dead center into the companionway. It is about two inches shy of coming back far enough to keep rain from coming into the companionway. Have to keep the lower
hatch board in to keep the rain out. I dig it out when it rains and take it off as soon as the rain is over. Still, when I leave for
Hawaii in a couple of months, the dodger will be up and doubt that it will come down till I reach the Islands.
If you are going anywhere with your boat, other than daysails, keep the dodger. You'll learn to love it out on the big ocean or anchored in inclement wx.