Possible Clues:

• Start out
• Start, as a trip
• Start a cruise
• Set out on
• Set out on journey
• If you want to get 33 acrosses into the ship, that's what it will make 'em do, by the sound of it (6)
• Board sends noted physician to Arkansas
• Board (ship)
• Measure exterior of tree for board production
• To get the dogs on board will make 'em do this, by the sound of it