I'd Be Inclined to Replace Them
I know the grief you are facing, as I've bent a few over the years also. Not sure what boat your referring to, but my guess is it's a deck stepped mast. What happens is that the shroud lower turnbuckle screws get bent when the toggle jaws jam in the chainplate holes as the mast is lowered. Something has to give as the stays come through their arc and it usually is the softer turnbuckle screws. It helps to have a pair of eyes and hands ready to guide them over as the mast is lowered. You can replace them fairly cheaply if they are the lower screws, available through West or any chandlery. If they are the upper swaged screw, you have to get a rigging loft to replace them, as they will have to be re-swaged onto your stays. Don
