Chris,

I have owned and sailed an O'Day 25 since January 1980. I have also
sailed in the Bahamas and parts of the Caribbean, among other places.
The O'Day would be excellent for sailing to and in the Bahamas. I
have the keel/centerboard version which would be outstanding for all
the shallow areas in the Bahamas. Especially in areas such as the
Abacos, the O'Day would be better than a lot of larger boats.

That being said, I cannot recommend the O'Day for the rest of the
Caribbean. The boats were built stronger than many other brands at
the time, and her design is much safer than others of the same size
(e.g., full bridge deck rather than companionway extending to the
cockpit sole), but I feel that she is just a little too small for the
larger seas of the Caribbean. The O'Day 25 would handle the heavy
stuff better than you could, but it would be an uncomfortable ride.

The O'Day 25 was/is a very good boat. Designed well, built strong,
good accommodations for her size, reasonably fast (I just won a
regatta in my old O'Day 25 two weeks ago), and can be trailered around
the Country to lots of great lakes, bays etc. She was designed for
lakes and coastal sailing, but the Bahamas are just next door.

I you have any specific questions about the O'Day 25, just ask.

Lee Huddleston
s/v Orion (O'Day 25
s/v Truelove (Mauritius 43)