Clipper has someone to adjust the sails (7)
I believe the answer is:
trimmer
'clipper' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'someone to adjust the sails' is the wordplay.
'someone' becomes 'mer' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'adjust the sails' becomes 'trim' (I've seen this in another clue).
'mer' put after 'trim' is 'TRIMMER'.
'has' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for trimmer that I've seen before include "Garden tool" , "Crew member" , "person of dubious loyalties" , "relatively smart" , "Cutter; neater" .)