Lifting rings

I am done sanding the hull and deck, ready to have the gel coat applied. I'm sure the shop doing the gel coat is going to want to use the lifting rings. The front steel that the ring bolts to is rusty and the fiberglass that is along that rust has totally delaminated. I was able to detach and clean up the long bolt. I'm guessing that the bolt is tied into the bow eye and some structure below, but the delamination has me spooked. The rear ring is also bolted to a totally rusted metal brace, which is also a bit bent up. I trust the place doing the gel coat to make the correct call on this, but anyone else deal with this rusted/delaminated support stuff?

I have a quick question for you all while we are talking about the lifting rings. Do you think it would be ok to tow a skier/wakeboarder with the stern lifting ring? I know it is built for lateral load characteristics but could it withstand horizontal stresses as well. My problem is I do not have a pylon and anything forward of the motor will be difficult due to the hardtop.

Thanks for the imput Jeff.

I should have said vertical instead of lateral...wasn't thinking.

I found a thread on this site about pulling with the lifting ring and there are mixed reviews. I know this is not what it was designed to do but I don't know that I have much choice.