Pretty sure they're supposed to be straight, at least that's what Rufus told me when I had a similar bend. You can bend them back. He said it was likely from taking the rig up and down repeatedly.

:: Correction to the first sentence: Just NOW noticing.....
::
:: :: hi,
:: ::
:: :: I'm reinstalling my chainplates and am just not noticing
:: :: that their is a very slight fore/aft bend to them as
:: :: they exit the deck.
:: ::
:: :: Is this normal? Since they are both identical I'm
:: :: assuming yes but thought I'd ask since this is a
:: :: critical component.
::
:: :: What direction does the bend need to go.. towards the
:: :: bow or stern?
:: ::
:: :: I didn't notice this as I removed them and it's
:: :: impossible to tell from pictures which way to reinstall
:: :: them. Assuming the bend is supposed to be there.
:: ::
:: :: thanks