Ive done both, hot foot better on several counts. Can keep both hands on the wheel is the biggest safety advantage. Another is if you should leave the cockpit and foolishly do not have the kill switch hooked to you, the boat will at least slow to idle vs. going at what ever speed you have hand throttle set at. We lost a club member and another (the driver) was hurt badly when out fun fishing because didnt have hotfoot, failure to where kill switch, or wear life jackets. Though with the circling boat at speed not sure life jackets would have helped. I also think you can react faster to unexpected waves etc. with hotfoot. Only disadvantage is long runs, at least for us old guys, your leg can get tired. I think advantages outweigh disadvantages. Just my 2 cents.