The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word SAMPAN
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
A
M
P
A
N
More clues leading to the result SAMPAN
- Boat takes a minute to break bridge
- Boat almost foundered negotiating a little current
- Craftâs auxiliary masts tops stuck in bridge
- Missile to track boat
- Money invested in hard wood for oriental vessel
- Rascal getting caught leaving an Asian boat
- Vessel in the morning crashing into bridge
- Craft piece subject to Anglo-French article exchange
- Boat a metre in length
- Article by a member on small boat
Buddy explains!

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 SAMPAN mean?
SAMPAN noun- A flat-bottomed Chinese wooden boat propelled by two oars.