Annabel Gray

My Story

Before joining Y.CO, I spent eight years managing high-profile events in London and Vancouver, and this background really influences how I approach charter.

You get used to juggling a lot at once, staying calm when plans change and making sure the guests never have to think about what’s happening behind the scenes.

Since moving into yachting, I’ve organised charters on yachts over 75 metres, including several during the Monaco Grand Prix, where the logistics can get pretty complex. I’ve also worked on build projects with Oceanco and inspected close to 500 yachts at shows across Europe, the US and Caribbean.

What I enjoy most is getting to know what matters to the client. After years working closely with captains and crews, I’ve learned that the right choice isn’t always the most obvious one. Sometimes it’s the crew, the layout or the way a yacht will actually work for that particular group that makes the difference.

Beyond Yachting

I’m happiest outside and doing something. Hiking, skiing, being on the water, long walks, running – I’m not very good at staying in one place for too long.

Travel is a big part of that too. I love the contrast of somewhere remote and completely off the beaten track, with a great town or city at either end of the trip. I’m always up for exploring somewhere new, especially if there’s a bit of adventure involved and a good story at the end of it.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

That every charter is different, so the job never gets boring. I can be working on a surf-focused explorer charter in Costa Rica one minute, a Monaco Grand Prix charter the next, then helping a family find the right yacht and crew for young children. Even with clients I’ve known for years, there’s always a new request or challenge.

WHAT’S THE MOST ADVENTUROUS THING YOU’VE DONE?

A helicopter hike in the Canadian Rockies. We flew into an incredible glacial lake on Mount Assiniboine, then spent four days hiking out carrying everything we needed through grizzly bear country. The scenery was out of this world.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

That it’s just about finding a yacht with the right cabins and amenities at the best rate. The crew are hugely important, and then there are all the details around the trip itself – guides, instructors, activities and experiences. Sometimes that can mean shark-tagging conservation in Antigua or heli-skiing from a yacht in Greenland.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU HAPPILY SPEND TOO MUCH TIME RESEARCHING?

Holidays! I love a multi-destination trip, so it’s not unusual for us to have a spreadsheet covering locations, travel times, restaurants and activities. It’s probably excessive, but I think it’s worth it.

WHAT’S SOMETHING CLIENTS ARE OFTEN SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORK BEHIND THE SCENES?

How much information is shared across the wider Y.CO teams.

We might need a captain recommendation, an extra tender, a replacement chef at the last minute or information about a yacht that’s also for sale. The network is extensive, which usually means we can get to the right answer quickly.

WHAT’S ONE THING STILL ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Cruising Alaska and seeing the northern lights from a yacht. I’d love to wake up watching whales over breakfast, kayak with seals, watch the sunset from the Jacuzzi and then see the northern lights from the deck. For me, that would be the perfect mix of adventure and tranquillity.