O'Day Tempest 23 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The sailing characteristics of the Tempest 23 are defined by its high ballast-to-displacement ratio. With approximately 1,225 pounds of iron ballast in a 3,000-pound boat, the vessel is notably stiff and capable of carrying its sail plan longer than many modern light-displacement cruisers. According to historical technical reviews, the Philip Rhodes hull form tracks exceptionally well, resisting the tendency to "hunt" or wander when sailing off the wind.

The spade rudder, which was quite advanced for a mid-60s family cruiser, offers a direct and sensitive feel at the tiller. This responsiveness allows the Tempest to perform admirably in light air, though its true strength lies in moderate breezes where the 3’ 9” draft provides the necessary leverage to point high into the wind. Owners frequently report that the boat feels "larger than it is" in a seaway, a characteristic attributed to the balanced distribution of volume in the hull and the relatively narrow 7’ 8” beam, which helps it slice through chop rather than pounding over it.

Interior Comfort & Variations

For a 23-foot boat designed over half a century ago, the interior of the Tempest 23 is surprisingly functional, though it lacks the "standing headroom" found in later designs like the O'Day 23 (a C. Raymond Hunt design). The layout is a classic four-berth configuration consisting of a forward V-berth and two long quarter berths that extend aft under the cockpit seats. This arrangement maximizes the usable length of the cabin while keeping the center of the boat open for a small galley area and a dedicated space for a marine head (typically a portable unit or a vintage Wilcox-Crittenden).

The interior aesthetic is defined by the utilitarian beauty of the 1960s, featuring teak trim against white fiberglass liners. While the Tempest 23 did not have the "pop-top" feature seen on later O'Day models, it did offer a surprising amount of storage under the berths and in the small mahogany lockers. There were no major structural variants of the hull, though early models featured slightly different interior wood finishes compared to the later production runs before the model was phased out in favor of the more voluminous O’Day 23.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

When inspecting a vintage Tempest 23, the most critical area of concern is the iron keel. Unlike lead keels, the iron ballast is prone to oxidation if the epoxy barrier coat is compromised. Potential buyers should look for "bleeding" or swelling at the hull-to-keel joint, which may indicate the need for a labor-intensive sandblasting and resealing process.

Another area for scrutiny is the deck core. O’Day utilized balsa-coring in the decks of the Tempest, and after decades of use, moisture often migrates through improperly bedded stanchions or cleat mounts. A thorough "tap test" with a plastic hammer can reveal delamination or soft spots. Additionally, because the Tempest uses a spade rudder, the rudder post and the internal structural tube should be checked for play or hairline cracks in the fiberglass around the exit point, as these can be signs of stress from grounding or age-related fatigue. Finally, verify the integrity of the chainplates; being a 60-year-old boat, the original stainless steel may be subject to crevice corrosion where it passes through the deck.

Community & Resources

The O’Day Tempest 23 benefits from a dedicated following among classic fiberglass enthusiasts. Primary support and historical data can be found through the Philip Rhodes design archives at the Mystic Seaport Museum, which houses many of the original drawings and specifications for Rhodes' work with O'Day. General technical support and a community of owners are active within the O'Day Owners group, a long-standing association that provides a repository for manual scans and restoration advice.

The Verdict

The O’Day Tempest 23 remains a sought-after classic for sailors who value traditional aesthetics and a refined helm over modern interior volume.

Pros:

• Excellent stability and stiffness due to a high ballast ratio.
• Classic Philip Rhodes lines that remain visually striking.
• Responsive handling thanks to the fin keel and spade rudder configuration.
• Solid, thick fiberglass hull construction.

Cons:

• Iron keel requires more maintenance than lead to prevent rust.
• Limited sitting headroom may be restrictive for long-term cruising.
• Vulnerable balsa-cored decks in aging specimens.
• Spade rudder is less protected from debris than a skeg-hung or full-keel rudder.