Detailed check for any sails damaged (8)
I believe the answer is:
analysis
'detailed check' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'any sails damaged' is the wordplay.
'damaged' is an anagram indicator.
'any'+'sails'='anysails'
'anysails' is an anagram of 'ANALYSIS'.
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for analysis that I've seen before include "resolution" , "Dissection and examination" , "Breakdown (for study)" , "Determination" , "Examination of structure (eg of psyche)" .)