Definately come down brendan as there's more than 60 hobie 16s registered already with a few world and national champions racing to show us all whats what. I'll be on an all yellow boat sail No 107902 so give me a yell if you're lurking around. As for crew there's a crews register on the Qld Hobie assn web site with quite a few people volunteering for crew spots.
Another thing you can do with the mast step is get a plastic coke bottle top and sit it in the socket, the mast will squish it into a good washer, (cheap an nasty but it works).
Happy Sailing
Phil Palmer