Sean Steinberg wrote:

My manual windlass pulls up fine, but I can't get the brake to release to lower the anchor.

Should I force it with a pipe or bar, or is there a way to lube it?

What windlass do you have?  It may be that the grease on the clutch cone faces has gotten full of dirt and salt and has become more like thick wax.  When that happens the cones stick to the gypsy holding it in place.

Kevin