Hard dodger or soft... I know I'd have trouble getting my first mate out in the off season without one....
It rains here every once in a while, it's nice not to have to scramble and close up the boat for every shower.
We have an opening center panel that nicely funnels air through the dodger on hot days - if the breeze is there - and even if it's not the extra opening vents more heat. For the calm hot days I think the tradeoff for shade is worth it.
We had a windy rough crossing this past summer, my wife found it quite amusing to be sitting dry behind the dodger, watching me catch a shot of spray every few waves at the
wheel.