I think greasing before assembly is an important maintenance item, periodic oiling/lubing over the summer is also recommended.
The chlorine and or salt in your water will remove any lubricant/oil relatively quick, so staying on top of that should keep the thing relatively loose by formaing a barrier so corrosion cannot set in too quickly.
As for bent portions, any way of setting the end in or over a post (maybe like a fence post) to hold it somewhat steady while gently bending it back to the position where it originally was?