I will be setting up a 1/4 mile IMPBA course on my pond. I would like to install a timing system to check lap times. It does not need to be SAW legal and only needs to work for one boat at a time. Does anyone have any suggestions? Obviously I want to keep the cost down.

Thanks.

Try Tower hobbies. Look up robitronic. They offer a complete system for what look's like a pretty good price.

Seems to be exclusively for cars. There might be a problem or two translating to boats, start with cars being on a track with the ability to mount the sensing hardware somewhere convenient, as opposed to on water with the associated difficulties of mounting. I only saw lap counting devices, not timers. The best answer might well be somebody trustworthy who can handle a pair of stop-watches, or just the one if its a single lap timing requirement.
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Yup, the car systems typically only allow 20 - 50 foot lane widths. I would need 100 feet. Not sure I like the idea of needing a transponder either. I was hoping to find a system that uses lights to trip the clock, or infrared sensors. If I could find out which lights to use I could have them start and stop a stopwatch.