VW diesels, unexpensive but.. viable?

[Federico]

Is there somebody outthere with experience about marinised VW 1900 diesels out of rabbits, golfs ect? Marinising kits are available, but I''d like to know about them before going into one

[hamiam]

I have a 48hp marinized VW diesel engine in my Fast (Nicholson) 345. I have been very happy with the engine. You might want to talk to the experts, however, at Pathfinder Marine Diesel. Good luck.

[Federico]

Hamian
Thanks for your response. Is it possible to purchase a VW marinising kit in the USA?.. As far as I know, they are available in Europe, but don''t know who sells them here.
Federico

[hamiam]

Well, the guys at Pathfinder are on the US/Canadian boarder. I''m sure that they can help you.

[Federico]

Hello hamiam
I just picked up a 1500 cc VW diesel from a VW Dasher. I need to find a way to communicate with the guys at pathfinder Marine. I tried locating them in the net, but my efforts did not pay. Can you provide an internet address or telephone # where I can get in touch with them?
Thanks
Federico

[Jeff_H]

The last thing that I heard, Pathfinder was no longer in business. Beyond that the Pathfinder diesels had a terrible reliability reputation, The parts were expensive and not too easy to obtain.

[hamiam]

I spoke with them on 1/20/01. Their email address is pathfndr@pathfindermarine.com . My engine was modified by a company called "Control" and not by Pathfinder. Most of the parts are VW and the others are from such companies as ITT Jabsco and the like.

[Jeff_H]

I guess I got that one wrong. I raced on a boat probably about three years back on which the engine was not running and the owner said that he had a Pathfinder diesel and had problems getting parts since in his words "Pathfinder was out of business." I am glad to hear otherwise.
Jeff