Basically, if you don't understand the way your aeroplane flies, stick to a less-demanding occupation, I would suggest.
Why on earth would you want some stone age trim wheel rattling back and forth every time your autopilot makes a trim change? Just because that's what it did on ol' Bubba Boeing's 707 isn't really a legitimate reason.
What if you need to adjust your seat and wiggle: there you are; when hand flying, cemented into position like a statue unable to drink coffee with the right hand if you're an F/O or unable to turn your approach plate with your left hand if you're a Captain.
Ah, bless.....
You don't need to cling on to the sidestick like grim death like you apparently did to the yoke in your stone-age Boeing. But if you need to use that hand for some other reason and really are petrified of letting go of the sidestick, then the words "You have control" spring to mind.