It has a masthead sloop rig, a spooned raked stem; a raised counter, angled transom; a skeg-mounted rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed fin keel.

[4] In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "the O'Day Tempest 23 (not to be confused with the similarly named O'Day International Tempest, an open-cockpit racing machine) is a classic, attractive, and wholesome design for basic overnight cruising.

Best features: Relatively long overhangs and low freeboard give this boat a sleek, graceful look typical of Philip Rhodes' designs.

Worst features: Her keel is iron rather than lead, requiring diligent maintenance to prevent deterioration from rust.

Lack of a good place to put a portable cooler keeps her from qualifying as more than a basic overnighter, and overall space below is less than all her comp[etitor]s, partly due to her reduced headroom.