Inflexible tail (5)
I believe the answer is:
stern
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'inflexible' is the first definition.
(similar in meaning)
'tail' is the second definition.
(back of a ship or boat)
(Other definitions for stern that I've seen before include "Grim, strict" , "Demanding < back" , "Back end of a ship" , "Unrelenting at the back of the boat?" , "Where sailors may be" .)