The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word OARSMEN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
O
A
R
S
M
E
N
More clues leading to the result OARSMEN
- Rowing types, terrible moaners
- Ransome represented people in boats
- Warning to pull in behind docked boat crew?
- Some ran badly, running not being their sport
- Eight in a row?
- How a dry summer regularly attracts northern chaps catching crabs?
- Boaters in Ransome novel
- Boaters in Sanremo at sea
- People who row may be married, within reason, when upset
- Strokes, say, one’s arm when agitated
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Eight in a row" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case eight in a row = oarsmen.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does OARSMEN mean?
OARSMEN noun- A man who rows a boat, either alone or with others.