you can raise the mast yourself if you have to. It always helps to have a helper though. I would hook the mast up to the little hobie bracket and then connect the side stays, then the strong person stands on the trampoleen and lifts the mast, being carefull to keep the mast base in the socket. You might ahve to pull it as some funny angles to keep it in there, i know its always hard to get it to stay with mine. then when you get it all the way up, stand there and hold it up while the less-strong person fastens the front stay. If you dont have the hobie bracket or you cant get the base to go in the socket it is possible to balance the boat up on one side, have the weaker person hold it still while you grab the base of the mast and lift it into place and then fasten the cables. that method is kind of more trouble than it's worth though because you are juggling all the different things that wont stay up on their own at first.