Your keel is fixed, I don't understand what you mean by bringing it up and down? It can be removed with the boat hauled out from what I have heard, in case you wish to perhaps better clean it to remove any rust, but at about 1200# it won't be easy to move around!
Do you mean hte centerboard? If so, I would think that if you had the boat off the trailer and placed supporting blocks at the forward and aft ends of the keel (not blocking the CB slot) you should be able to lower the CB somewhat, depending on how high the boat is lifted off the ground (or how deep a hole you dig under the CB). If the CB is stuck in hte up (or down) position, running a thin saw blade or length of metal strapping back and forth between the CB and the insides of the CB slot in the keel should free it up at least a bit. I'm not sure about any seals (other than between hte keel and the hull?) but a call to Rudy at D&R Marine should help. (508) 644-3001 The CB is raised/lowered using the crank on hte cabing table post in the cabin.
CENTERBOARD:
The flat crank handle has a retractable pin it uses for a handle. This pin is pushed (and locked ) into a hole in the pedestal when the crank handle is in the 6 o'clock position. Side pressure holds the pin in place. Care must be taken to ensure the pin is securely in the hole, as a free wheeling crank handle can cause injury.
I have a copy of the "manual" for the older 23, but it deals more with the pop-top operation than anything else.