Tiny sailboats rocked from side to side Sunday morning along the Petaluma River, at the mercy of the momentary wind gusts. “Any wind is good,” George Pedrick, 65, who lives in Point Richmond, said.

Though many modern fishers and recreational enthusiasts prefer motorboats, many types of sailboats offer a similar level of on-the-water enjoyment—and with less upkeep required. While boats with ...