Sailor boy in waterproof stuff (9)
I believe the answer is:
tarpaulin
'waterproof stuff' is the definition.
(waterproof material)
'sailor boy in' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'tar' (slang term for a sailor).
'boy' becomes 'Paul' (boy's name).
'tar'+'paul'+'in'='TARPAULIN'
(Other definitions for tarpaulin that I've seen before include "waterproof material" , "Heavy waterproof canvas" , "Strong waterproof sheet" , "It provides protection" , "[SHHET]" .)