The skill needed to sail them? (5)
I believe the answer is:
craft
'the skill' is the definition.
(craft is a kind of skill)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for craft that I've seen before include "Cunning - trade" , "Creative activity" , "Boat, artifice or skills" , "Art; skilled trade" , "Dexterity" .)