The Hunter 31' & 34' are prone to compression post rot. IMHO anyone that has not had this problem yet should take preventative measures. This problem is not so much a design problem as it is a lack of communications between the factory and the commissioning dealers. I believe that if these things had been properly commissioned this would not be a problem today. Other than the fact that they probably should have put a metal compression post instead of wood. If the current owners would unstep their masts and examine the system they could save themselves a lot of grief. The cross member in the headliner should be sealed so water cannot penetrate the the wood. The pipe that leads the wires through the deck should be resealed (the basic cause of the problem). Be sure that the pipe extends high enough above the step so water that enters the mast cannot ever get high enough to drip down the pipe. Be sure that your wires do not go straight down the pipe, they should be looped below the pipe so that the water that does follow the wires down into the crossmember or compression post. When you see the production that Allan Hadad did on his H'34 (see Photo Forum 11/12/1999), you will appreciate doing this as preventative maintenance. This is without worring about the financial impact and how long your boat may be out of service.