Fuel and range planning for planing powerboats

Know your range before you leave the dock.

Enter your boat once. Then add your speed and fuel, and First Mate estimates hours to empty, distance to empty and engine output for your trip.

iPhone and AndroidOn the App Store and Google Play
One-time purchaseNo subscriptions or in-app purchases
No ads, no data collectionYour boat details stay yours
Download

Most trip plans start with a manufacturer's rough figure. First Mate starts with your boat: its hull, its engine and the weight you carry today.

First Mate uses naval architecture and marine engineering calculations, built on tow tank test data, to estimate range, duration and engine output. You do not need an expensive integrated management system. The app works alongside the gauges and navigation equipment you already have.

A hand holding a phone showing the First Mate Dashboard with example values

The Dashboard

Two numbers in. A full trip picture out.

Type your cruising speed and remaining fuel. First Mate fills in the rest.

  • Hours to emptyAt your current speed
  • Distance to emptyFrom head seas to calm
  • MPG and GPHEconomy and burn rate
  • Engine powerPercent of rated power
  • RPM, torque and horsepowerEngine estimates
First Mate Dashboard tab with cruising speed, remaining fuel, hours to empty, distance to empty and engine information
DashboardYour trip at a glanceSpeed and fuel in. Range, economy and engine estimates out.
First Mate Your Data tab with a table of RPM, horsepower, gallons per hour and miles per gallon
Your DataTuned to your boatEnter the speed you see at each RPM. Print the table for your records.

Screens show example values

Built on naval architecture and tow tank test data, so your plan accounts for drag, weight and engine performance.

Features

Numbers built for your boat, not a brochure average.

Input

Simple input, useful results

Enter your speed and fuel level. First Mate estimates engine hours to empty, distance to empty, RPM, fuel burn rate and brake horsepower.

Method

Based on naval architecture

Calculations account for drag, weight and engine performance, not just a manufacturer's rough figure.

Vessel

Set up once

Add your boat in the Vessel tab. Update the specs any time. Print a backup for your logbook.

Dashboard

A dashboard for the trip

Range by speed and weight, engine output, sea state and how it changes your range, plus fluid levels for total displacement.

Tables

Reference tables

Trip duration in calm or rough water, remaining fuel from your gauge reading, and sea state on the Beaufort wind scale.

Upgrades

Plan an upgrade

Thinking about a new engine or propeller? See the effect on performance, displacement, range, fuel capacity and horsepower.

How it works

Set up once. Update as you go.

  1. Vessel tab

    Describe your boat

    Enter hull, engine and tank specs one time. You can change them any time.

  2. Dashboard tab

    Enter speed and fuel

    Add your cruising speed and remaining fuel. Enter new values when conditions change.

  3. Your Data tab

    Fine-tune for your boat

    Enter the speed you see at each RPM to match the app to your boat.

Aerial view of a center console powerboat running straight ahead with twin outboards Aerial view of a powerboat turning across open water Aerial view of a powerboat on plane leaving a white wake
Top-down view of a powerboat with twin outboards cutting across dark water

Poseidon Vessel Management

One price. Nothing else.

First Mate is made by Poseidon Vessel Management. It is a premium, straightforward app. We rely on word of mouth from boaters, not ads. If you like it, share it with your boating friends.

  • No adsNothing gets in the way of your numbers.
  • No subscriptions or in-app purchasesPay once and keep every feature.
  • No data collectionPoseidon Vessel Management does not collect your personal data.

Results are estimates. First Mate does not read your gauges or connect to your engine.

Available for iPhone and Android

Plan your next run with First Mate.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play