Hi and welcome to the forum!
We documented our upgrade to a hard dodger a few years ago, and can attest to the fact that it made an amazing difference in both our underway and our at anchor comfort. it was like adding on a new sunroom to our house.
You can find our info here:
http://svsoggypaws.com/csy/cockpit.htmDave designed the frame, gave the sketch to a shop that made fly bridges for fishing boats, and they did a pretty competent job. Then he got quotes from 3 different canvas shops, specifying every detail. And 10 years later it was still keeping us dry and happy. The use of the Tenara thread was important, as I never had to re-stitch the dodger. A few zippers broke (the metal feet don't hold up well, so take extras--both extra feet and extra zippers of the appropriate length, if you are going long range cruising--even if you don't sew, you can always find another cruiser, or someone ashore, to make repairs, if you have the critical items that are not usually availalee in remote places).
If you DO sew, there's a great Facebook Group called Sewing on Boats, and also checkout the "how to" videos on Sailrite.com (they have a Youtube channel and their vids are excellent).
Sherry