Sorry to hear you had a negative first impression at your local club. I would give it another try and perhaps call their contact number(s) to connect with the right person beforehand. Do that and I am willing to bet you will come away an entirely different impression
Sorry my only connection with RC boats was only in the simplest form and long ago, so will defer your question on that stuff to someone else.
Hmm northern Idaho, I use to own an old log cabin near Bonners Ferry, wonderful country.
Enjoy the adventure, John