The clubhouse and boat house buildings are owned by the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department and leased to the club.

Emil Arthur Kehrlein, the eldest son of Valentine Sr., served as the club's inaugural president.

The club petitioned the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to erect a small clubhouse/equipment shack and pier at the junction of Beach and Leavenworth Streets,[8] an area known as Bilge Water Cove.

The brothers would later establish the nearby Triton Rowing Club, and, in 1899, founded the Hotel Nymphia brothel.

[7] In 1895, facing increasing development of the waterfront the club resolved to relocate to a more protected site at the foot of Van Ness Avenue.

The relocation of the building was necessitated by the extension of Van Ness Avenue, the construction of municipal pier, and the development of Aquatic Park Cove including the municipal public bathing bathhouse (which was originally intended to be the home of the Dolphin and South End clubs) and grandstand in 1936.

[16] Their lawyer noted that "the basis of the suit was not gender bias, but federal law that governed any institution operating on public parkland".

[23] Black locust are known for its resistance to rot, durability and straight grain, making it desirable for use as fence posts and wooden boats.