Crossword Genius

Goes to sea with Melissa without me (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sails

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'goes to sea' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'melissa without me' is the wordplay.
'melissa' becomes 'sals' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'without' is an insertion indicator ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'me' becomes 'i'.
'sals' going around 'i' is 'SAILS'.

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sails that I've seen before include "Navigates" , "Ship's canvas" , "Goes by sea" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).
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