You might want to consider/try a different approach IF swinging that heavier boat up traditional style seems too hard for you?

Take your packs and lay them next to each other and then flip poke boat over so you can wedge the bow into the packs. Then just "walk" the boat up and set it on your shoulders. Might be a viable alternative to trying to swing it up?

He is a handsome boy! You have to rig a pack system so he can at least haul his OWN eats. ;) ;D