Abstract: A testing system and method for testing and evaluating the performance and ervice life of finger seals and skirts used on surface effects ships (SES). The system simulates actual conditions that SES seals would encounter and tests full scale portions of seals and skirts. The system and method comprises placing a number of seals together in a mounting frame that moves the finger relative to another surface to simulate the chaffing and wear that occurs during actual pitch and roll. Below and in contact with the finger seals/skirts is a surface which has a wave-shaped rigid contoured surface movable as a unit vertically and horizontally. On the surface is a water-retaining pile-like material that retains water flowed thereon.