Nice results Chris....that's gotta make you smile.

i have a friend that has the prop shaft 2 1/2 below bottom. boat runs real well with a 4 blade

I've had a 24' Pantera and a 24' Superboat. Both boats had the prop shaft set approx 5" below the bottom.
Both boats ran fastest with a 3 blade but handled better with a 4 blade. With a 4 blade you'd have to trim real high to go fast unless you had the prop modified.
I think if you're going to run 4 and 5 blade props, you can and should go higher with the prop shaft. Something like 4 to 4-1/2 inches below without a box.