can't remove old paint under benches

I'm looking at starting on old, peeling paint removal from my old john boat, but there are benches that do not allow me to get to the hull under them (there is about a 4" gap between the bottom of them and the floor) -- Do I need to worry about somehow getting the old paint stripped under the benches? If so, any ideas? I really would rather avoid ripping the benches out, as I'm sure they contribute to the structural integrity of the boat. And tearing them out, stripping, painting underneath then replacing seems extreme. Any advice?

hit it with a power washer and let it go.

I was hoping somebody would say that! I've been waiting for 5 weeks to have a free weekend to get started on all this, but 1 hour in to my honey-do list yesterday I threw my back out. So all I can do is lay here on the couch, look out the patio door at my boat, ask questions on this forum and curse my 50 year old back!!