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Gentlemen head for sailing on bay (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coves

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'gentlemen' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'head for sailing on bay' is the wordplay.
'head for' indicates taking the first letters.
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'bay' becomes 'cove' (I've seen this before).
The initial letter of 'sailing' is 's'.
's' after 'cove' is 'COVES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for coves that I've seen before include "Sheltered bays" , "Small bays, fellows" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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