I disagree entirely with the advice you've been given. Gazillions of Irwins of all sizes have been to the Bahamas safely and the Lippincott is a racer/cruizer that is smaller and will be less comfortable and offer less storage for living aboard. And how about the tankage??
Tankage
Fuel: 12Water: 30Holding: 10
Displacement 8400lbs
VS.
Fuel: 30 gl.Water: 80 gl.Holding: 15 gl.
and 11,600lbs.
Add to that the extra length & beam and you have the ability to cruise in comfort vs. race around the buoys and be comfortable for a weekend.