Troubled Waters — Robert Leckie

Troubled Waters by Robert Leckie. Uncle Russ has given Sandy a brand-new sailboat, and he wants Sandy to sail it home to Valley View from Cliffport. Jerry goes with Sandy so that he can teach Sandy how to sail. The boys spend an entire day in the boat, with Jerry teaching Sandy everything he knows about types of boats, types of sails, and most importantly, how to sail Sandy's boat. That evening, Sandy and Jerry leave Sandy's boat at anchor in the harbor and go to a hotel to spend the night. A strong storm breaks out, and the boys worry about the boat, since it was not secured to a permanent surface. In the morning, the boys' worst fears come true when they discover that Sandy's boat has vanished. Fortunately, their dinghy is still there, so the boys set off in it, hoping to locate Sandy's boat. The boys find Sandy's boat off the coast of an island -- or so they think. Too late, the boys discover that the boat does not belong to Sandy. They find contraband inside the boat, and they realize that the boat is owned by criminals. Suddenly, the boys find themselves at the mercy of those criminals and in a fight for their lives.