I have successfully straightened bent (not kinked) stanchions with an
electrician's conduit bender. This is a hand tool with a pipe handle. I've
provided a link to one manufacturer's model so you know what I'm referring
to. The second link has a downloadable users manual. I realise this devise
is intended to bend straight tubing but will straighten bent tubing as well.
It has to be an almost perfect fit or it will flatten the tubing instead of
bending it.

http://www.idealindustries.com/wi/ConduitBenders.nsf

http://www.idealindustries.com/IDEAL...s?OpenDocument

--
Ken Heaton & Anne Tobin
Cape Breton Island, Canada
kenheaton at eastlink dot ca

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
The reason I have not simply replaced them is because I cannot remove
them.
The stanchions are welded to the bases, which are through-bolted to
backing
plates under the deck and behind the cabinetry and glassed in from the
inaccessible bottom. This boat (O'Day 37) is full uf such cuties, built as
if
it were never meant to have things replaced, like wiring, which is
sandwiched
between the gelcoat head liner and the bonded outer deck.

I have been toying around with ideas involving angle- or T-iron and big
screws, like jacks.