Copy a clipper badly, lacking front of prow (7)
I believe the answer is:
replica
'copy' is the definition.
(I know that replica is a type of copy)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for replica that I've seen before include "Caliper (anag)" , "Exact copy or model" , "Perfect copy" , "Facsimile" , "Reproduction, exact copy" .)