IS too much port area a bad thing?

You're getting an assortment of ignorant responses here -- which is often the case. Then 2 or 3 of said ignorant responders will be sure "dislike" this response.

I suspected the correct answer here is that there is no problem having a port cross-section larger than necessary as long as the length is adjusted correctly.

In order to confirm that suspicion I modeled the sub using WinISD with a 24 sq in port and a 48 sq in port. All the response plots remained the same.

Matching the Fs of the subwoofer is not a good way to optimize your enclosure. The ideal Fb WinISD came up with was 30hz. Skar's 38hz recommendation will give you a couple more db's in the upper 30's, but tuning a little lower will give you more consistent output down to and slightly below 30hz.

It is worth knowing -- the only advantage to a huge port is to reduce any likelihood of port noise. At about 35 sq in you will have little if any chance of port noise. Going larger than that won't improve anything; it will just add size to the box.

ports are calculated based on area, not shape or diameter. If a port is too small in diameter it can chuff (make whooshing noises) if it is over large, it has no diameter for its area, and ceases to "be" a port, you end with just an open backed speaker.

Heck yeah! Of course

With too much area, it will sound bad and all you will hear is just 20hz to 40hz.

Yes, it's a bad thing. Correct port size has everything to do with proper tuning and performance, and to prevent the cone from over-extension and potential damage. At the very least you would be doing is making it sound worse if you don't follow their recommendation.

It needs to be half 50 inches less 2.5 inches and this is the ratio as set out by Harmon Kardon