Suggestions for preparing HONU for hurricane season in a slip in the tropics

We will be leaving HONU, our IP38, in a slip at Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay, Mexico for the 2016 hurricane season. She will be in the water and we are hiring a caretaker to keep an eye on her while we are in California. This will be the first time we have done this and are wondering if anyone has a check list for preparing the boat. We intend to:
remove the foresails,
install the mainsail cover and wrap with line,
remove all lines on deck,
pull halyards into mast so that a small cord is all that is exposed to winds and UV,
fill the water and fuel tanks,
biocide in the fuel,
empty the reefer,
make sure all foodstuffs are stored so they don't attract critters,
leave interior storage hatch covers ajar to allow air circulation,
close and cover all exterior hatches (with the exception of the hatch in the aft head that has a solar powered fan),
draw all port curtains,
close all thru hulls,
leave extra dock lines in the cockpit for use by the care taker if necessary,
wipe down all interior surfaces with a vinegar/water solution to inhibit the growth of mold,
leave electric bilge and sump pumps on,
remove radar reflector and all flags and burgees,
remove the dinghy from the davits, deflate and tie her down to the deck (its a RIB and will not fit through the companionway).

There are some things we are unsure of.
Should HONU be attached to shore power? She has three 140 watt solar panels that can keep the batteries topped up, but we have heard from some that the panels should be securely covered with plywood to prevent damage from flying debris in a big wind. We expect that shore power could be unstable or nonexistent in the case of a big storm.
Should we disconnect interior electronics from power sources to protect them from lightning?
Should we fill the holding tank with fresh water, is there a compound that should be added?
Should we have the caretaker start and run the engine periodically? If so how often and for how long?

We intend to leave the dodger up with the window cover on, the winch covers on, and the helm station canvas cover on, but will ask the caretaker to remove them and the dodger canvas if a big storm is expected.

Comments, or a list if you have done a similar thing with your boat, would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Mike and Judy Sawyer

Hayden,
Thanks for the response. I may look for a dehumidifier in Mexico, The one you are using is a bit heavy to take back on a plane with all the other stuff we have piled up to take. All food left on the boat, even cans, will be stored in sealed plastic bins. The Coolaroo fabric is really neat. We have three Coolaroo sunshades aboard we use when in port.

Mike

Good list.

Mildew is your biggest enemy. The solar fan will help; but a dehumidifier will be a big plus. I know of several owners that have returned to a 'mildew farm' after a summer in the tropics/subtropics.

Insects and vermin are your next biggest enemy. I would remove or give away any food on board. Even the smell of food can be an attraction. We also empty and treat all food lockers and many others with liberal doses of ant/roach spray and leave a collection of ant & roach traps.

I would take the dodger and bimini off; when storms approach there is often not enough time for 'caretakers' to get it all done.

If you don't have a boom-crutch, I would also lash the boom so it would not swing loose if the sheet breaks or comes loose.

You don't mention doubling all lines and putting on chafe protection; again better to do this ahead of time.

On your questions:
We have always left our solar panels uncovered. You do risk damaging them in a storm, but they do a great job of keeping the batteries charged.
We have never done anything but empty and thoroughly flush the holding tank.
We have never had the engine started. I think there are definitely advantages in keeping internal engine surfaces lubricated, but potential risks in thru-hull 'management' and engine care.
We leave shore power connected; a caretaker could disconnect in a storm - power will undoubtedly be out in a storm.
I don't think you can do anything about lightning except pray you don't get hit. If possible, get a low-deductible on electronic damage. Many companies offer it, but don't advertise - we have $500.

My philosophy, is to prepare the boat for a storm before we leave it - good luck!

Tom Kopcik
S/V Barefoot IP40-02

Thanks Tom,
Your suggestions are good ones.

We're hoping we can buy a dehumidifier in Mexico. Walmart, Home Depot, or Mega should have one. Running the dehumidifier will require shore power, so we will be leaving it connected.

We think you're correct about removing the dodger, and will probably leave the solar panels uncovered and not have the engine started, for the reasons you stated. Lines will be doubled with snubbers and chafing protection.

Thanks again,
Mike and Judy Sawyer