Millionaire gambler Eric Vennel's yacht, and "Virgin, and " sets sail for the Regatta at Poughkeepsie with an oddball assortment of uneasy companions-hardheaded sportswriter Al Conners; beautiful actress Carla Sand; her rival gossip columnist Rita Veld, oversized brute Mick O'Rourke and a large sampling of East and West-Coast society. Rumors of Vennel's extensive wagering on the Regatta, and a midnight attack, raise the tension to the point of murder.