Couldn't find the post I read a few months back but the guys were talking about the outboard jet wouldn't be able to get hte boat going fast enough to get the boat on to the steps. What I took from that was the stepped hulls are desined so that once the hull reachs a certain speed the outer steps raise out of the water and the boat is only plaining on the next step down. The boat will finally get to the last step and be running the most efficient because less boat is in the water and creating less drag. If you can't get the boat up on the steps that's just extra suface area creating drag and slowing you down.
The biggest diffrence between your boat and fenders is his is a flat bottom designed for a use with an outboard jet, your boat was designed for use with a prop. The hull has as much to do with perfomance as any thing.