I ve been out of touch for a while. Otherwise would replied sooner. My apologies. The barnies had pulled the mylar gasket into the keel slot wedging it tight. I cut an access slot in the top of the keel slot housing inside the cabin as close to the hatch as i could . I then used a large steel framing squre and a rubber mallet to push the gasket back out. The squre did not survive. I did this in the water over soft sand so the weight of the keel ( 400 lbs ) could be take off the winch. The may need replacing. I choose to leave it off mine, since my sj stays in the water where barnies build up quickly. The gasket was designed by racers to reduce drag. As i don't race I don't need it. Sorry if im to late to help. Alton

hi alton
my name is brian and i just bought a san juan 21 with stuck keel from barnies also. how did you get her down?