I like having both, I like the paddlewheel data for AWS using STW. I have both STW and SOG scrolling on my chart plotter, but I have my two B&G Triton T41 displays showing the paddlewheel boat speed/depth page on one display, with composite wind data page on the other. This summer, my paddlewheel has been less susceptible to fouling. I don't know whether it's our new location or that we are using it more frequently.
I absolutely agree that it's a PITA and frustrating to head out and suddenly realize that it has fouled since we last sailed. I thought I had seen a new transducer a couple of years ago that did not use a paddlewheel for speed, but it was outrageously expensive, and if it actually worked well enough then I think there would be ads for it all over, and I just haven't seen it recently...