Yacht of the week: Moonrise

Since it was delivered in 2020, the 99.9-meter-long Feadship-built Moonrise has gone on to be one of the most distinctive silhouettes on the superyacht scene. Owned by Jan Koum, the co-founder of WhatsApp who sold the messaging app to Facebook for $19 billion in 2014, its clean-cut lines, vertical bow and sophisticated interiors made it an instant hit. But now it’s on the market for a cool €325,000,000 with Burgess yachts.

Why sell such a stunning yacht just five years into ownership, I hear you say? That would be because Koum has already taken delivery of the ultimate nautical flex – an upgrade. Arriving in 2025, the tech mogul’s new yacht - called, er, Moonrise - looks almost identical to the existing ship at first glance. The new yacht is very slightly longer – by just one metre - making it 101 metres in length, while its similar styling was done once again by De Voogt Naval Architects, who penned the first Moonrise only a few years ago.

The most noticeable exterior difference between Moonrise (2020) and Moonrise (2025) is the lack of satellite domes that cluttered her predecessor's mast. The ‘Mickey Mouse ears,’ as the industry so affectionately calls them. Instead, De Voogt's design studio at Feadship tucked the satellite receivers into the superstructure itself, resulting in an even more streamlined and clean-cut profile.

Gone are the satellite domes or ‘Mickey Mouse ears’ as they’re known, as seen on Moonrise (2020) pictured

Beyond the vanishing satellite domes, Moonrise 2.0 boasts a taller mast, an extended swim platform, and an expanded sundeck now housing the holy trinity of billionaire self-care: hair salon, gym, and massage area. Add to that a dedicated owner's deck and a bridge-deck cinema, and you've got yourself a proper upgrade.

As for Moonrise 1.0, that’s currently for sale, it’s an “iconic vessel that has been meticulously maintained,” says Henry Craven-Smith, Senior Partner at Burgess yachts. “Opportunities to acquire a yacht of this calibre rarely come to market. With her elegant lines, build quality and proven pedigree, she is a compelling purchase opportunity for a discerning buyer seeking a truly standout superyacht with enduring value and presence.”

With accommodation for up to 16 guests across eight cabins, plus 32 crew, the interiors of both yachts are the work of designer Rémi Tessier. With its modern yet grand décor, Moonrise is refreshingly inoffensive on the inside.

Powered by twin MTU engines, Moonrise can reach speeds of up to 18.5 knots with a range of 6,000nm, which is enough for a cruise from Miami to Monaco without refuelling. As for Jan’s shiny new – near identical yacht – expect it to be doing the rounds this superyacht season but just don’t expect to tell it apart from its predecessor, especially at a distance.

For more information: Burgess Yachts