In last week’s passing of former Donzi Marine leader Lee Kimmell, the high-performance marine industry lost one of its most colorful and controversial characters, https://www.offshoreonly.com/article...to-21st-street.

From the OSO home page.

Cool story......one thing can be said for this industry it attracts colorful characters from all walks of life

Great write up Matt. I never met Lee but I've heard many stories about Lee and Steve Simon. FYI, you referenced 1999 as the year of the creation of the ZRC several times in your story. I own hull #001 and it's a 2002.

Thanks for the correction. I actually based the release year (incorrectly, as it turned out) off the Powerboat magazine Performance Trials Award trophy Lee Kimmell and Steve Simon are holding in the photo. The trophy is from 1999, and having worked there at the time I don't remember them receiving an award for anything else in that general time frame. But, as the picture shows, clearly they did and (as your hull proves) it could not have been for the 38 ZRC. I'll update the story with the correct model release year (and I have to figure what Donzi the 1999 award was for). Thanks again.

Lee Kimmell was one of the most charismatic and intimidating, strange combo for sure, people I have ever met. Thanks to my former Powerboat magazine editor Brett Becker, I have the text from our Q & A feature and it's pretty amazing. Lot of sparks and tension and snarky quips that make an interview great.