[1][2][3][4][5] The boat was built by Paceship Yachts in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia between 1973 and 1981, Canada and later by American Machine and Foundry (AMF) in the United States, but it is now out of production.

[1] The Paceship PY 23 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of hand-laid up fibreglass with balsa cores and teak and mahogany wood trim.

Below deck accommodations include four cabin windows, 5 ft (150 cm) headroom, a "V" berth in the bow, storage shelving and bins, a folding dining table, an optional gallery with an icebox, a stainless steel sink and a 12 U.S. gallons (45 L; 10.0 imp gal) fresh water tank.

[7][8] In a review Michael McGoldrick wrote, "Unlike the interior of many boats built in the 1970s which have a dinette arrangement, the PY23's layout features two settees which are parallel to the centerline, and a table which folds up against a bulkhead.

"[9] In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "it is interesting to compare this vessel with the slightly smaller O'Day 22 ... designed by the same firm, Raymond Hunt Associates, at around the same time.