In 1909 the club in company with the other three major Yacht Clubs in Auckland, formed the Auckland Provincial Yachting Association, forerunner of the present Auckland Yachting Association.

The club suspended all operations in 1914 at the outbreak of World War 1, it being deemed unpatriotic to indulge in sporting activities of that nature.

It did not reconvene until 1923, when following the relocation of the North Shore Yacht Club to Mechanics Bay in 1922, Devonport was left without a Yacht Club.

First Patron of the club was His Excellency Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa Governor General of New Zealand. The club has maintained a close association with the Navy since.

T.J. Duder presented a cup for the inaugural race which was won by Isaat Wood in his mullet boat Venus. This first race attracted forty eight entrants in seven divisions from stately A class keelers, mullet boat classes to X class centreboarders. Starter and judge, from his launch Speedwell, was none other than W.A. Wilkinson.

In 1926 a lease was negotiated with the local Council for the waterfront site vacated by the Devonport Steam Ferry Company. 

The club was registered as an Incorporated Society in 1927.

Following the demolition of the old Victoria Wharf the passenger ferry waiting room was transported by floating crane to the clubs new site. Initially it was used solely for storage of club members sails, oars and other boating paraphernalia.

The clubs social events - dances, concerts and prize presentations were held elsewhere - principally in the local Masonic Hall.

Foreshore haulage along the length of the Devonport waterfront remained hand operated winch on a multiple purchase utilising 'deadmen' on shore for uphaul and offshore for downhaul. A vessel would sail into its cradle on a full tide to be winched further ashore on well greased ways.

Small boat sailing declined but the club continued to foster coastal and offshore cruising assembling a sizeable fleet of Bert Woollacott designed and built short end spoon bowed cruisers. Ladybird one of Berts designs, skippered by his son John became the first New Zealand boat to win the Trans Tasman Race in 1952. Another of his designs the twenty eight foot ketch Marco Polo, built and skippered by Club Member Tony Armit became the first New Zealand designed ketch to circumnavigate the world (1954 - 1957) for which Tony received the coveted United States Vos Award.

A smaller fleet of Col Wild Herreochoff sheer type racers found their niche in the club. Under Jim Gibsons stewardship in the mid fifties a considerable amount of progress was made in improvements to the clubs facilities. It had early been recognised that haulage was the clubs greatest potential revenue earner.

Discretionary powers had to be sought before proceeding with the reclamation of the area to the west of the clubhouse. The Watson Wall running the length of the waterfront was protected by an act of Parliament. This having been granted construction of an angled sea wall, a retaining wall and slipway proceeded. Many hours of voluntary labour supervised by John Senior eventually completed the tasks. Subsequent committees have overseen the construction of dinghy lockers, extensions to the front of the clubhouse with additional dinghy storage space, kitchen, toilets and entrance foyer, a caretakers flat, the installation of a mains sewage system, construction of dinghy skids, and the western breakwater, the sealing of the seaward areas adjacent to the clubhouse and dinghy lockers, extension to the rear of the clubhouse with additional dinghy storage, providing a balcony and viewing deck with unsurpassed views of the Inner Harbour, and the sealing of the approaches to the foyer.   A further extension update of the Clubhouse facilities has recently been undertaken and improvements made to the Western Wall breakwater.

The club has adopted a strict two year rotation of its Executive ensuring a comprehensive management apprenticeship.

Over the years the club has assembled a magnificent collection of trophies including the oldest known cup still competed for in New Zealand - The Herald Sanford Cup (1870). However the Duder Cup must take pride of place in a splendid showcase display. Development of a bar and lounge has prompted the club to introduce a social membership opening up the premises to any person with an appreciation for maritime activity. A comprehensive radio communications system reflects the importance given to the safety of their offshore fleets.

Martin Foster and the Late Sir Peter Blake (KBE) initiated the concept of a two person race around the North Island. In the inaugural race in 1977 competitors and spectators alike witnessed H.R.H. Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh officiating at the start in the presence of Her Majesty, the Queen. Other important offshore races conducted by the club include the Nelson Race, Hauraki Gulf Rally, The Duder Cup and a range of Family Cruising Races.

The Fred Norris Memorial Trophy incorporating Freds own vernier sextant is awarded in recognition of meritorious achievement in the sport of blue water sailing. Among past recipients is the Late Sir Peter Blake undoubtedly our most famous ocean mariner. A recent addition is the Devonport Multihull Trophy in recognition of meritorious sailing achievement in Multihulls, which the first recipient was the Late Sir Sir Peter Blake for his achievements in the Two Handed round Australia Race in Steinlager I.

The club subscribes to the Spirit of Adventure Fund and Young Mariners crew on vessels participating in the Annual tall Ships race.

The Club celebrated its centenary during 2005 ~ 2006.