The first record of yacht racing in Torbay is in an advertisement in the Exeter Flying Post of a sailing race for ??boats of not more than 25 feet in the keel and to carry not more than 60 yards of canvas? to be sailed on Monday 11th September 1811.
Somewhat later than this, on 19th August 1863, 23 gentlemen met and resolved to find premises and found a Club which they formalised as a social club (with no mention of sailing as part of the activities of the members) known as ?The Torbay and South Devon Club Company Limited?. The premises they ultimately purchased on Beacon Terrace for the sum of ?2500 had been constructed some ten years earlier as a purpose built club house.