Hi scarecrow. No need to have to trust you. You are correct that steps increase available planing lift. Having been a codesigner of the boat in the video and having built step hull cats, sailboards, water skis and speed boats as well as full size robotic whales and sharks I'm quite familiar with fluid dynamics. However steps can effectively reduce wetted surface area with an appropriate design, and as the boat speed increases, wetted surface is substantially reduced compared to a comparable length non-stepped planing hull. More planing lift yet less boat in the water.