find a recent survey of what all boats out cruising blue water now are using and what percent of the time. I believe both systems should be aboard! But would NEVER go to sea on an extended voyage with just an autopilot.

For starters, take a look a recent article;
The Ocean Cruising Club read at; http://www.oceancruisingclub.org/index.php/publications/114-Equipment%20&%20Technology/1742

The MOST important thing that stands out head and shoulders above ALL other aspects of the differences is that I CAN FIX a wind vane! In many cases, that is just not possible for an autopilot.

And, when the power is lost, The windvane still works just fine.

I guess I am just a dinosaur, I still believe is self sufficiency when at sea.
I still keep track every half hour on paper charts, when off shore (I do use GPS and have 3 aboard). And I always thought it was stupid to put a computer under the hood of my car!

Having said that, you know I AM a tech geek! On our boat we have a projection video system so I am one of the very few 27 foot boats with a 50 inch video system, on land I have a LOT of tech and even take all my recent video in 3D. So it's not a lack of experience in tech, it's my knowledge of it that sets my course.

Greg