Could be the winch
I'm making a semi-educated guess here... It could be that the clutch on your keel cable winch is no longer working properly. As I'm sure you know, the winch doesn't use a ratchet system (like a trailer winch). It uses a clutch that engages when the handle is turned clockwise and disengages when the handle is turned counter-clockwise. If the clutch is faulty -- e.g., it fails to disengage properly/fully when you turn the handle counter-clockwise -- you could have problems lowering the keel, but not necessarily raising it. It could be that the clutch had developed some sort of deformity, so that it never entirely disengages. If it's deformed such that 10% of it remains engaged when the handle is turned counter-clockwise, you'd still be able to lower the keel, but you'd feel a load on it. Remember, though... this is just a guess. If you decide to replace your keel winch, PLEASE make sure you get the correct replacement. You should never use a trailer (ratchet-style) winch on a C22 keel.
