First sail back to CT from Block was on the nose is a smokey SW'er - would have been very unpleasant in our previous Morgan 24 with no dodger. You'd be alternating between ducking spray and bailing. In the Tartan, the reefed main was wet to the numbers but we were comfy in the cockpit. We had the cushions out and the Admiral was cosy against the cabin top, reading. Some of the difference was due to the bigger boat (& same size waves) but I feel the dodger made most of the difference. I've thought about a bimini, but after 25 years I still haven't added one. I've seen small dodgers to protect just the companion way, but consider the minimum to be one that will protect two crew at the fwd end of the cockpit.
We do have a shade (rain cover?) for the cockpit, but it goes over the boom. Can't raise the main with it in place. But there are days we've sailed with just the jib and the cockpit cover - looks strange but it keeps us from baking in the cockpit. There are definately days when that's the way to go - and there are probably many more of them further South!