Sailor who tries to avoid looping rope (7)
I believe the answer is:
skipper
'sailor who tries' is the definition.
'skipper' can be an answer for 'sailor' (skipper is a kind of sailor). I am not sure about the remainder of the definition.
'avoid looping rope' is the wordplay.
'avoid' becomes 'skip' (skip can mean to avoid or pass over).
'looping rope' becomes 'per' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'skip'+'per'='SKIPPER'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for skipper that I've seen before include "who makes short hops" , "being in charge?" , "Captain - small butterfly - fish" , "Trawler boss" , "Shakespeare's giddy youth" .)