Sat Times cryptic

[brainiac]

What sailors are to boat here (6)

_E_N_L

This is driving me mad !!

[Quizmonster]

'Kernel' looks possible. I haven't yet looked at this crossword, but I'm thinking of RN = Royal Navy, ie sailors and 'keel' is an old word for a boat. Just as RN is central to the word 'kernel', so the sailors in it are central to the working of a boat. 'Kernel', of course, means 'centre. Is that it? I'll tell you for sure tomorrow if no-one else does so meantime, when I've completed the crossword. Cheers

[brainiac]

Thanks for your reply. I suppose its possible, but I'm not convinced! Am still looking for a solution that makes me think oh yes, I see it now......

[wideboy]

Brainiac - care to share it - it's driving me crazy as well.

[Quizmonster]

I can't see the problem myself, B and W, as my suggestion seems to fit the bill OK, though I haven't actually seen the crossword concerned, as I said. There aren't that many words which fit the letter-pattern you provide. I suppose you are quite certain they are all correct?

[Murielmci]

I reckon quizzmonster is spot on - perhaps because that was my thinking too. All the letters are correct.