In 1898 the club accepted a new One Design Class boat, not to cost more than £35 complete.
The Seabird Half Rater designed by Herbert Baggs and W. Scott Hayward.
The boats were named after Seabirds and their ratings (competitive performance) were assessed at 0.5, hence the term Half Rater.
In 1906 the Star class, designed by George Cockshott for the West Lancashire Yacht Club, and built by Lathoms of Hesketh Bank at a cost of £32 each.
The club also runs the laser 12 hour race on the Southport marine lake.