[8] The Lehman 12 is a recreational planing sailing dinghy, built predominantly of fiberglass, with mahogany and oak wood trim.

[1][2][9] The boat has a draft of 2.00 ft (0.61 m) with the daggerboard extended and 3 in (7.6 cm) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water, beaching or ground transportation on a trailer or car roof.

The wood that had been used for the rails, thwarts, flotation tanks and other components was replaced with fiberglass, thus eliminating requirements for varnishing and reducing weight.

[9] The United States Sailing Association describes the boat, "Lehman 12 Dinghies have been a staple in Southern California one design racing since its inception in 1953.

"[8] Ullman Sails says, "the Lehman 12 is an exceptionally responsive two-man planing dinghy that quietly glides through the water with only a whisper of wind.