Crossword Genius

Rows to side with hesitation in boat (6,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

paddle steamer

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

'boat' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'rows to side with hesitation' is the wordplay.
'rows' becomes 'paddles' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to side' becomes 'team' (a side is a sporting team).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'hesitation' becomes 'er' (sound used when hesitating).
'paddles'+'team'+'er'='PADDLE-STEAMER'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for paddle steamer that I've seen before include "Ship propelled by bladed wheels" , "Mississippi boat?" , "vessel" , "Type of ship" , "River boat, for example" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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