[1][2] The design was built by the O'Day Corporation, a division of Bangor Punta, in the United States, from 1988 to 1989, but it is now out of production.

It has a masthead sloop rig, with a fully-battened mainsail, a raked stem, a reverse transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a wheel and a fixed wing keel.

[1] The boat is fitted with a Japanese Yanmar 2GMF diesel engine of 18 hp (13 kW) for docking and maneuvering.

[5] A 1987 review in Motor Boating and Sailing reported, "large sweeping expanses of plexiglas and a half dozen opening hatches and ports give the new O'Day 302 a bright, airy interior.

To give the boat better performance O'Day added a new, patented winged keel which is said to provide a smoother, more comfortable ride in a seaway.