In all this here you mention always starting with a Template. It seems possible that your templates are corrupted?? just a guess. 
So have you tried opening Sonar/ File/ New/ Blank Project?  
 
Add a few midi or Audio tracks and save that with a Name. 
If that doesn't open then you've got a weird one happening. 
 
I noticed in the screen shot the Audio engine is not running?? seems wrong. 
 

blipofthefish, can you share the template file that's causing your problem so I can test it? I have been trying to reproduce this. However, what you describe is completely different to what I experience here. For me, saving a template does not save the docking status of console or vst list order. To save docking state I have to setup a lens. I currently have Sonar on my main screen and the console on a second screen. All works and loads fine. Maybe your template file is corrupt and is corrupting every project you use it on?

Cactus Music
In all this here you mention always starting with a Template. It seems possible that your templates are corrupted?? just a guess. 
So have you tried opening Sonar/ File/ New/ Blank Project?  
 
Add a few midi or Audio tracks and save that with a Name. 
If that doesn't open then you've got a weird one happening. 
 
I noticed in the screen shot the Audio engine is not running?? seems wrong. 
 

 
...
Ok. 
 
The templates work just fine. That is part of the whole mystery to me. And to answer your question; yes, i've started a project with a blank project. Without succes, i must add
 
(addition: i mean, it works, but it is giving trouble when i save a template out of the blank project. If i start a project from a blank template, everything works like it should. Just as every other preloaded SONAR template. However, and this is the whole problem; when i make my own template, something is going wrong. And it seems like the vst lay-out in the browser is the cause of it all. It seems so weird. But i have tested it multiple times now and over here it breaks when i alter that particular screen and save it with the template...)
 
I was able to save a working template to start a new track with. All i did was being aware NOT TO touch the vst layout settings, saving my preferences (layout of the mixer, vst on the master and deletion of some pre loaded tracks) into a template. So, i got a working template for now. 
 
And i am aware this truly is a weird one...scratching my head still....

35mm
blipofthefish, can you share the template file that's causing your problem so I can test it? I have been trying to reproduce this. However, what you describe is completely different to what I experience here. For me, saving a template does not save the docking status of console or vst list order. To save docking state I have to setup a lens. I currently have Sonar on my main screen and the console on a second screen. All works and loads fine. Maybe your template file is corrupt and is corrupting every project you use it on?

I've send you a PM.

Thanks. Sent you a reply.