Crossword Genius

Bears out of yachting centre, heading off (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

owes

'bears' is the definition.
(eg to bear or owe a responsibility)

'yachting centre heading off' is the wordplay.
'yachting centre' becomes 'cowes' (I've seen this before).
'heading off' means to remove the first letter.
'cowes' with its first letter removed is 'OWES'.

'out of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for owes that I've seen before include "Has to pay" , "Is in debt to" , "Is indebted to" , "still hasn't paid" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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