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I have an '84 Montauk with some bent (not creased) rails from the PO.

I was considering trying to staighten them, perhaps with a little heat from a propane torch & some gentle bending. The rails I'm talking about are the segmented sections in 1. the port side rail, the aft most section and 2. the portside bow rail aft section.

Has anyone encountered this or made such a repair?

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Rails are actually pretty easily straightened using a hydraulic press. I have straightened axles and tubes for years.
It would be possible with some welding to build a press using a hydraulic jack. The system would actually be pretty simple. I could sketch you some ideas if you are inclined to try that. I have a small (harbor freight) 12 ton hydraulic press.

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I would have to find someone with that equipment as i don't. I was thinking some heat & gentle persuasion with a bench top vice. Maybe that's too crude?

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It might get the tube straight[er], but it will be left heavily discolored from the torch. You will then need to polish that out for a finished look. If you use heat, you won't be able to grip the rail with your hands and will have tool marks on the rails as well. Just propane probably won't be enough for stainless steel. You will probably need an oxygen mix to have any effect.

You could find a local fabricator and have them fixed up for less than the cost of replacing them.

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I had the same problem. Found a guy who repaired rails. He made house calls too! $100.00

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I had the same issue on mine in the front where someone probably sat on the rail and bent it downward. I used a 4 X 4 wood beam and attached small 6 inch pieces or the 4 X 4 on each end. I then used a big C clamp and slowly tightened until the rail was bent upward and back to straight. You could also use a ratchet strap the same way but don't put any pressure on the stand offs or the mounting blocks.