Getting on step has alot to do with the hull's footprint or platform on the water. More horsepower is always nice but getting on step has more to do with how the boat is balanced from bow to stern in the water. As an example I owned a 17 foot sled with a 115 2 stroke Merc. It seemed to get on step okay but my 21 foot sled with a 115 4 stroke got up on step just as fast due to the length and balance of the hull despite the sluggish 4 stroke. This is the same reason why smaller hulls with a tiller sink a bit in the rear.

Definitely something to be said about the advantages of a smaller sled however. Was very nice at the boat launch putting in and taking out when other boats were just too long to do either. Ease of handling due to how much lighter a smaller sled can be a definite plus.

My 1 cent.