Jim, that is exactly what I'm trying to figure out. There are no visible fasteners from on deck, the stanchion looks like it is stuffed in a hole molded into the deck. No screws, bolts or anything else holding it in place from the top down. It appears that the only way to get to the back of it is to start pulling apart the overhead which I am reluctant to do until I know for sure that's what I need to do.
Phil, our boat is a 2008 model. There was the original 27 (27-1) which I think was in production from the mid 70's to mid 80's, the 27-2 was a redesign with the open transom that was in production until around the mid 90's. The 27-3 started production in 2004 I believe, at least there is a 2004 in the marina next to ours. I also think it was in production until around 2013? There were three variations of the 27-3, the standard model like ours, the 27-3 E which came with an electric inboard and the 27-3X which is the racer. It comes with a retractable bowsprit and tiller instead of a wheel.