My V-42 has a dodger, bimini, and a side-curtain cockpit enclosure. 
     Dodger:  I prefer a dodger over forward side-curtains because it is stronger in severe weather, provides a shady spot in the cockpit, and gives privacy in port. Side curtain windows all the way around are not very strong and let in far too much sun.  They can be hot! 
    Bimini:  this extends over the dodger.  I used to put the dodger down every morning when I lived in the Caribbean.  The bimini provided good shade.  It also gives a double canvas overhead for those sitting under the dodger.  Double canvas lowers the temp in direct sun by 5 to 10 degrees. Note the mounting geometry that gives access to both winches with standard length winch handles.    
    Side Curtains:   The side curtain window enclosure aft of the dodger means I can travel in shirtsleeves when it is very cold outside. Or stay dry in anything but the worst rainstorm.
     Forward shade awning:   I also have a small shade "awning" protruding forward from the front of the bimini over the dodger windows. It sometimes keeps the rain off underway, darkens the cockpit a bit for seeing electronic charts and keeps the dew off at night so you can see out.  Without this, heavy dew obscures all outward visibility.  You can't see out at all without unzipping the side curtains and going outside.  It also shades the cockpit from direct sunlight.  I also have another shade awning aft of the bimini (not shown). 
    Awning:  The main awning is 20 X 12 feet and can handle very high winds.  I have routinely motor-sailed with the jib flying in winds up to 30 knots.  It was up 5 months a year for 15 years and has withstood many hurricane force gusts in thunderstorms.  The canvas finally got weak with age and I now have an identical replacement.
    Canvas is the biggest change you can make to a boat for comfort.
            Wayne V-42 C/C RESTLESS