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 first eight boats were built by Latham of Crossens at a cost of £34 17s 6d each. The boats were named after Seabirds and their ratings (competitive performance) were assessed at 0.5, hence the term Half Rater. The first race was sailed off the Southport Pierhead on 13 June 1899 when eight boats raced over a ten-mile course and Goshawk No.2 won.