This was suggested to me to reduce strain on them. Apparently by not being lined up with the mast there is an awkward stress. I had not heard of this and never seen it but it makes sense.

Any thoughts?

What exactly do you mean by "shroud anchors"?
Can you post a picture or drawing?

Yeah, I'm lost too.

Dave

My bet would be...
"shroud anchors" = chainplates

I'm pretty sure he means the fitting that goes through the hull that the chainplate attaches to.
I'd just make sure they are tight fitting into the hull... if they are sloppy it would lead to an awkward stress.
It probably wouldn't hurt to have them parallel in line with the hull but never heard of it leading to extra stress.

wildtsail,
Your guess is right. Sorry for my lack of vocabulary. I have a copy of Phil Berman's catamaran sailing book but it is not very detailed.
Sorry everyone, I was expecting to be emailled replies, but somehow my preference got changed.

Yes indeed I am talking about the chainplate anchors. What was told to me was that it you were to put a pin in the chainplate hole, then draw a line perpendicular to the centre of the pin, this line should point straight at the point where the shroud attached to the mast. This would prevent the chainplate from wearing unevenly as it flops back and forth while sailing or while beached.