Where is the boat located? Was this done at the factory? Some Hunters have been modified at the factory for ICW bridge clearance of 48' along the gulf coast. There are a couple bridges marked 50' on charts that are known to be 48' under most tidal conditions. I looked at a 35.5 in Pensacola years ago that had its mast shortened and in hindsite wish I had bought it. Most all Hunters are "over-canvased" on purpose, because most of them are used primarily in 20 kts or less, which is why most all of them need reefing at 15-18kts to sail flat. If its a late model boat, factory modified, I wouldn't shy away from it all other factors being equal.