Actually, I tried this on dry land before trying it in the water. I didn't lift it all the way obviously, but I hung on it until I could feel the mast coming up. You definetly don't have to totally right the boat just to test the pole. I then took it into the water and it worked there also.

The only thing that I don't think can be that good is that the pole slams into the descending hull typically as the hull hits the water. I did not have a preventer rigged though. Maybe that would have helped keep the pole between the hulls and away from them.

I was very careful in stepping on the lower hull when out of the water. If you have somewhat weak hulls, you could easily go through one.