Cryptic crossword No 3,483

Thank you! Nice crossword, I especially enjoyed 26a and 20d, and the trick in 25a is neatly done. A few minor things: 6a seems hardly cryptic, more like two non-cryptic "pub quiz" definitions; 15a, not sure about "with sloping masts" as definition, unless the solution really does have this nautical sense (?); 22a, don't understand what role "starting to" is playing; 2d "less than half-dead" haha, though maybe a bit of a stretch? In all cases, might well be my fault for not understanding parse!