Jon,
Are you a solo sailor? by the sounds of it you don't belong to any local club where you are, if that's the case why not?
Im under that assumption since there is innuendos about starting a new club locally to you, that you Haven't given the existing a club a fair chance by joining them. Im sure that you would be accepted and some of these issues you have raised would be a thing of the past providing that you have not 'burnt any bridges' by arguing with other members.
The general public are a nightmare to say the least when doing any hobby, there's just no consideration for each other any more.
If your looking to setup a new club, in your area it wouldn't be all bad but you don't want to step on the other clubs toes in the process, and not to discourage you but its not a 'easy' thing to setup a club or a 'like minded group' you have a lot of work ahead.
If i was a solo sailor i would first try to join the local club if any before considering to setup my own, if things don't work out, that's the way it goes sometimes, then i would look at doing my own but only if interest from others was there. (remember you now competing with the established club if you do this)
But in doing so you will no doubt burn the bridge with the established club, like it or not one day you will want there help in some way! remember an established club have all the contact's, and the experience in setting up shows and events as well as having the facilities to keep the club running smoothly.
These burnt bridges will no doubt cause many issues in the future for you and your club making it an unpleasant experiences overall.
If you have upset local club members my advice would be to be the bigger man and apologize and see if they will let you join them, you be surprised that an apology still goes a long way.
And if you haven't joined them then i would suggest at least giving them a go before 'slating' them, and all the other local memebers of the public with a bad name on a forum'
