Hot Pursuit

Financially-struggling prep-school senior Danny Bartlett believes that a good education will lead to a prosperous future, so he's focused on studying for his chemistry exam rather than the upcoming spring-break vacation with his girlfriend Lori Cronenberg and her wealthy parents, immediately after the exam. They've chartered a yacht, The Crystal Slipper, to cruise the Caribbean round-trip from Puerto Rossa to Laguna del Mar. Lori's parents were reluctant to invite Danny, considering him not good enough for her. Circumstances make Danny decline the invitation at the last minute; then the circumstances change, enabling him to go--just as the Cronenbergs' flight has departed, so they don't know he will try to reach them. He always seems to be one step behind them and gets into one misadventure after another on his quest. His most profound encounter is with old seadog Mac, who literally shanghais him aboard his cutter, The Albatross. Mac has as much reason to get to The Crystal Slipper as Danny does, but he actually knows the dangers into which they are sailing.