The year 1997 marked the 20th anniversary of this eccentric Santa Cruz designer's record-setting Transpac run aboard the ULDB 70 Merlin—the boat that ushered in "Sled" sailing on the West Coast of the United States. Along with his other Santa Cruz designs (SC 27, SC40, SC50, SC52, and SC70), Lee has influenced many sailors and designers with his "fast is fun" motto for sailboat designs.

Educated at California Polytechnic Institute as an engineer, Lee has been dubbed "The Wizard" for his magical ability to produce fast boats and currently owns Wizard Yachts, a boat brokerage.