"I have no access to training, nor do i have any excess of cash."
your kidding right, you cant get training AND you cant aford to crash.....
You sound almost like SPAD was made for you
having said that your taking the hard road atempting this on your own.
sailing has no bearing at all on flying RC planes, yes the principals of flight are similar but thats where it ends.
Rc cars can help with left/right orientation but thats where it ends
there may be no clubs localy but you should join one and pay your insurance so you are covered.
other than that buy your rc gear and spend a LOT of time on simulators that support TX interface.
Good luck and ...... more luck