Jack: boy in sheet (9)
I believe the answer is:
tarpaulin
'sheet' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'jack boy in' is the wordplay.
'jack' becomes 'tar' (both are informal terms for sailor).
'boy' becomes 'Paul' (boy's name).
'tar'+'paul'+'in'='TARPAULIN'
(Other definitions for tarpaulin that I've seen before include "sailor's hat" , "Waterproof canvas used as covering" , "Heavy waterproof canvas" , "[SHHET]" , "It provides protection" .)