Danno:

I just came back from teaching my daughter to right her Hobe 16 with a righting pole. You should have easily been able to pull that mast up, but don't put the weight on the tip; it probably leveraged at 100 lbs. Remember that the wind under the sail helps to lift it. Also, you have to leverage your weight AWAY from the boat.

Remember to loosen your jib and mainsheets; loosen your traveler and let it fall all the way to the end of the boom.

Go back to the backyard. This is a combination of art and science. You'll get it to work with patience.

Wyatt