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Congrats! That's such an awesome boat. Wonder if she'll be the first 425 on the Great Lakes? Do you know?

I'm with Stu. Or you could add some epoxy adhesive to the gap and let the port frame and bolts act as a clamp when you put it back together.

Love the 387 and particularly, this local Great Lakes boat. Wish I was in a position to move up to that.

We carry a Danforth in the bow anchor locker as a secondary, but as Paulus mentioned, we didn't use it when we were in the North Channel. There are however several anchorages where a bow anchor and a stern shore tie work well.

I've got an electric oil change pump hard wired to the 12v system and mounted on the starboard side of the engine compartment. It works great and makes a simple task even easier. No excuses for not changing my oil!

We've occasionally towed our 12' AB center console RIB w/ a 25hp outboard (total weight around 400lbs), but it's only for a couple miles at time. We more frequently tow our 10' RIB (w/ motor stored on stern rail) when conditions are good and I'm too lazy to lug it onto the foredeck.

a local glazing shop

So what's a glazing shop? If I could get them made for significantly less than the $590 in the link above, I'm all for it.

I've seen the topic of fixing leaking fixed ports and replacing fixed ports come up multiple times over the last couple of years but haven't seen any easy sources for getting the parts. Anyone ever order these: https://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?52002/Catalina+Recessed+Window+Replacements

I went through the 425 at the Chicago show a couple weeks ago. Here are a few random impressions:

1) It felt like a 7/8th's scale 445 on the inside.
2) The absence of the aluminum toe rail is a plus in my book, since it likely means fewer holes in the deck/hull for water intrusion.
3) The cabin finishings are still very much recognizable as Catalina and distinct from the Euro boats also at the show (Bene, Jeanneau, Hanse, etc.).
4) The stern scoop is small for my tastes, both aesthetically and functionally.
5) Standard self-tacking jib and in-mast furling main are pluses for my (typically) lazy sailing.
6) Foredeck sun pad and starboard cockpit bench fold-out pad are firsts on a Catalina (as far as I'm aware)
7) Love the twin aft cabins, particularly since we're a family of 5. I also like this layout on the C42 as mentioned above.

I can't speak to the specs, proper operating rpm's, etc. of the Betas in question, but I can say that my C34 with a Universal M25XPB sometimes feels underpowered. I've seen the M25XPB's shaft hp rating listed anywhere from 21 - 26hp. I don't think the C34 (and likely your Sabre) would be overpowered with 30hp, as evidenced by the MkII's with the 30hp M35.

What Noah said. 

FYI - If anyone is looking for tickets, our "contest" is now live on SailFarLiveFree.com here: http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2016/12/ticket-giveaway-chicago-boat-rv.html

We haven't been since they moved from Navy pier to McCormick and combined it with powerboats and RV's.  However, I'm planning to attend this year with some boating friends and will have extra free tickets to giveaway soon (check my website at www.SailFarLiveFree.com for updates in the next week or so).

Very nice write up. I'd love to have a similar set up on MkI.  We currently get by using a portable (non-mounted) rollable 14w panel from PowerFilm, but we don't run the fridge while away from the dock (unless motoring) so it really just tops off the batteries from using lights at night. Your set up is much nicer, but I can highly recommend the PowerFilm flexible panels. Ours has been working great for 4 years with no issues. Here's my original write-up on the PowerFilm panel.

Most likely you've got a "teak and holly" veneer on plywood. If so, light sanding and polyurethane is doable. You can also strip the old finish completely (either via chemical strippers or a heat gun), then light sanding, then recoat. I did all of mine last winter and they turned out nice. I also added poly to the undersides for added protection. There's plenty of threads here on the forum about redoing the cabin sole, either by refinishing or replacing.