A system and method retracts and lets-out a laterally extending flexible bow seal on an air cushion vehicle having a bow ramp. Attachment loops on the forward outside surface of the bow seal receive a skirt cable. A separate cable routing system is connected to opposite ends of the skirt cable for selectively retracting and letting-out the bow seal. The cable routing systems also include ramp cables connected to the bow ramp to raise or lower the bow ramp. The cable routing systems retract the bow seal with the skirt cable simultaneously as the bow ramp is lowered by letting out the ramp cables, and the cable routing systems let-out the bow seal with the skirt cable simultaneously as the bow ramp is raised by drawing in the ramp cables.