Firm Clare's set up to make boats (8)
I believe the answer is:
coracles
'boats' is the definition.
(coracle is a kind of boat)
'firm clare's set' is the wordplay.
'firm' becomes 'co' (a firm is a company).
'set' indicates anagramming the letters (instruction to set the letters).
'clares' anagrammed gives 'racles'.
'co'+'racles'='CORACLES'
'up to make' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for coracles that I've seen before include "Craft" , "Small round wicker-framed boats" .)