The experimental model tests in hydrodynamics are performed with the main objective of investigating the interactions between ocean structures and the marine environment. Many studies aim to correlate the model's response motion to an input environmental condition. Optical tracking systems are interesting for measuring the model's response because they do not have contacts that might restrict its motions. This work presents the development of a low cost optical tracking system to capture movements in a plane. Comparisons are presented between the data acquired by the developed system and a renowned commercial system, demonstrating its applicability in two-dimensional model tests. The measurements were made at the Laboratory of Waves and Currents (LOC / COPPE - UFRJ).