SOS! Very loose side shrouds...

I dont understand what you mean here?
"Would either of these isues prevent us from catching wind?"
Your second picture shows you sitting out there basically in irons facing into the wind and stalled... was that the problem?
Remember you need to ease the main sheet and let the bows fall off the wind until the boat is facing 90 degrees to the direction that the wind is comming from. then Pull in the Main sail and off you will go... Not having the jib up will also make it harder to let the boat ease out of the wind.
Go out in lighter winds with all the sails up for best results your first time out.
Also your boat is not sitting too low in the water. it will sit up higher when you get going