I am negotiating to purchase a new boat (my current boat will be for sale if anyone is looking for a used '93 Stratos 201 Pro XL).  Currently the boat has a stainless steel five blade prop.  I have seen 4 blades but never a 5.  

What would be the pros and cons of a 5 blade prop?  Has anybody ever dealt with something like this before?  

Gives Better hole shot, more bow lift,  but slower

It's most likely a Mercury High Five prop. It's a good prop, but if it's like mine, it doesn't have the PVS system to adjust the holeshot. I use mine for a spare - hasn't been in the water in a couple years.

ReelDoc- it is an '89 I am sure the prop is from around that era.

oh yea - RD what is a PVS system?

Those are holes on the lower back side of the blades. They allow exhaust gas to exit out around the blades and creates a controlled cavitation. This allows the motor to spin up to 3,000 - 4,500 rpm coming out of the hole so it can get into it's peak torque range. Makes a huge difference in hole shot on a heavy bass boat. Once the boats gets up on plane a get some speed up, the exhaust goes straight out the hub and no longer goes out the holes.

I've never run a High Five but I thougth it was similar to the Renegade. The hub is smaller than the LU opening, creating an over-the-hub exhaust when coming out of the hole which does the same thing as the holes behind the blades. Like I said though, never have seen one mounted on a motor buy always thought the hup looked smaller than the standard prop.

I luv the way my big Johnny Rudes sound when I have them trimed just right just as she lays over and the motor makes that quick jump to about 4,500 - 5,000 rpm, then I keep triming out just right so she's holding this rpm and she's gone.  Makes one wicked sounding bass boat and looks like it just rockets out of the hole.

PVS - Propellor Ventilation System. It's Mercury's adjustable prop ventilation system. It consists holes at the base of each blade of the prop and various plugs. You can use plugs which are either solid or have holes of various sizes to tune your holeshot. The props with the PVS are designated Trophy PLUS (4-blade) and Tempest  PLUS (3-blade).

I run a 25 Pitch Trophy Plus on my 200 EFI. During the cooler season, I run it with 2 holes completely closed off and 2 holes wide open. When the weather gets hotter, I'll pull out another plug to help is get on plane quicker. My 25P High Five has fixed holes, but not the plugs for adjusting the holeshot.

BTW -- when it gets REALLY hot this summer, I'll switch to a 24P Trophy Plus to pick up the 300 or so RPM I lose because of the heat.

Wow Thanks guys for the awesome and informative replies.  If I remember correctly, the prop had holes at the base.

Hydrillagorilla2.. Five blade is for better hole shot. Is this on a 89 Champion?

Champ, I'm your huckleberry

Just picked it up from Big J.  She is awesome!  It is like someone froze the boat in time!