In September, the club unveiled a model of its planned redevelopment on the Otago Peninsula, the first stage of which is expected to cost about $300,000.
The boating club is asking members of the public to donate via a Givealittle page, as well as applying for grants and holding events such as sausage sizzles, and officially launched its fundraising campaign yesterday morning.
Boating club commodore Lynn Cooke said about 100 people attended, including representatives from organisations such as Yachting New Zealand, the Dunedin City Council, and the Otago Radio Yacht Club, which held a demonstration on the water.
Mayor Dave Cull cut the ribbon on the door of the boatshed, and then cut the miniature ribbon on the model.
The redevelopment was expected to be ready by 2023, for the club’s 100th anniversary.
Ms Cooke said the day was "really just to enlighten the public" and hopefully to encourage more people to donate.
The first stage of the project will be repiling, a new jetty, and a new wharf and changing rooms.
That will be followed by a new clubroom and meeting room, and, after the old building is demolished, a new boat storage facility.
