All boats need maintenance. Motors and bottom paint need annual attention , as do synthetic sails and rigging, no matter what hull they power. Acres of bright work need the same care on a wood or fiberglass hull. Paint on a composite boat can last 3 or 4 years, and is not much more work than compounding and waxing. Any boat can be neglected.
Wood is beautiful.
The infinite variety of color and grain pattern, the shapes produced by the tension induced in bending, and the patina gained by use combine to produce a unique expression . Wood looks good and ages well. Wood also feels good. Wooden boats have a nice feel to them, a warmth that invites touching and use. The best thing for a wooden boat is to use it often, and keep it clean.