Jim Bailey seems certain to win the annual Balboa Island Swim Race, until Commodore Wyntoon spots a Hawaiian bus boy at the yacht club who's a top swimmer.
Can an adult son get his always-right cantankerous father to say "good job" once in a while? How much can a cantankerous father take when hiring a young giant of a man to fill his son's shoes? Will it bring down the entire business?
Sam and his Balboa Marching and Grunion Hunting Society Millitary Band arrive at the park for their concert only to discover that there is no place for them to play, the park is closed for new construction.
Bailey and his band are looking forward to performing in the city park until they learn that the park is closed. They start a petition drive to reopen the park, but Wyntoon and his cohorts sabotage their efforts.
Sam is hosting his nephew Chester for the summer when Chester reveals his engagement to Beverly. Not good -- since Chester's father has vowed to "blow his brains out" if Chester ever elopes. So Sam sets out to break up the happy couple.
When it seems everything is falling apart around him: house, boat, and truck - Sam decides to sell out and move back to Indiana. The boys conspire to change Sam's mind, but it's an enemy who may actually hold the key to making Sam stay.
