I would try seeing how the lines are attached and if they'll hold some mild stress, but there's no way I would try to right that boat on land: Think about the stress on the lower hull as you're standing on it.

Just practice with it in the water like everyone else did; you'll get the hang (no pun intended) pretty quickly. As far as the length of the pole; you want at least six inches past the rear cross bar because you want to be able to grab it and bungee it back up, then sail away!

Wyatt