Moonrise, the superyacht owned by WhatsApp founder Jan Koum, is a spectacular vessel now seeking a new owner for nearly $380 million. For a well-heeled billionaire, she may simply be a pleasure craft, a lavish floating residence designed to entertain and indulge. But for Koum, who grew up in Ukraine, Moonrise was undoubtedly something more personal, a striking contrast to his early years.
For someone raised in a world where phones could be tapped and privacy was a luxury, escaping into a private sanctuary stretching 328 feet, spread across five decks, and filled with quiet comforts must have felt deeply symbolic. While never officially clarified, Moonrise likely came to represent new beginnings for the tech billionaire worth roughly $17 billion, a sense of hope and illumination, quite literally a light after a dark tunnel.
Now, the luxurious Feadship-built vessel has been listed for sale for the first time since her delivery in 2020. Moonrise is offered by Henry Craven-Smith of Burgess and follows the launch of a near-identical successor, a 331-foot yacht, also named Moonrise, that hit the water in 2025. Featuring a stellar exterior by Studio De Voogt and serene interiors by Rémi Tessier, the yacht is a finalist at the upcoming BOAT Design & Innovation Awards 2026 in the categories of Outstanding Exterior Design and Best Naval Architecture.
If sold, the new owner will acquire an award-winning spectacle, one that still stands shoulder to shoulder with Koum’s newer Moonrise, differing only by a whisker. The listed Moonrise is generously proportioned, boasting an almost 51-foot beam, a volume of 3,945 GT, and accommodation for 16 guests across eight cabins, supported by a crew of 32.
Powered by twin MTU engines, she reaches speeds of up to 18.5 knots and offers a long-range capability of approximately 6,000 nautical miles. Amenities include a helipad, an expansive beach club, and full wellness facilities, underlining her credentials as a self-contained floating retreat.
This naturally raises the question: if this Moonrise offers virtually everything one could desire, and the newer version is only marginally different, why commission another one at all?
Why did tech tycoon Jan Koum need a new Moonrise superyacht?
Two Feadship yachts in less than five years, both immense, both elegant, and both nearly identical, might seem excessive even by billionaire standards. However, while the yachts share similar proportions and aesthetics, the new Moonrise is thoughtfully and strategically upgraded. Longer than an NFL football field at 331 feet and with an increased internal volume of 4,000 GT, the new Moonrise introduces a dedicated owner’s deck, offering Koum a more complete private sanctuary. Integrated Starlink connectivity, designed without bulbous satellite domes, ensures seamless global communication while preserving the yacht’s clean silhouette.
There are meaningful technological and design enhancements as well. Advanced noise-reduction measures, including specialized hull appendages and vibration-dampening systems, elevate onboard comfort even further. Outdoor spaces have been refined with expanded shaded terraces and larger lounging zones, prioritizing relaxed, resort-style living over sheer guest numbers.
This shift is also evident in the accommodation layout. The new Moonrise sleeps 14 guests in seven cabins, down from 16 previously, allowing for larger suites and more generous private spaces. Performance is enhanced as well, with a higher top speed of 22.5 knots. Most notably, the yacht’s near-total silence is achieved through advanced acoustic engineering, including specially designed propellers, refined appendages, and a groundbreaking resilient-mounted anchor winch system. Together, these features create an unusually calm and hushed onboard environment.
Clearly, the new Moonrise represents an ascent into even calmer, more relaxed times, embracing a resort-style philosophy with heightened privacy and serenity. For those content with what might be called the “second-best” only in name, the original Moonrise is now offered for sale exclusively through Burgess at an asking price of $380,000,000, remaining one of the finest modern Feadship yachts ever built.
