The advantage of bare wire is that any deterioration of the cable will be easily visible on inspection. The rubber coating hides rust, fraying etc. Ironically enough, the same concealment/protection also retards the exact same problems. So the equation comes down to: safety vs. longevity. (Of course, true racing obsessives add weight of the coating into the mix as well. But if you read the "How much does a J-30 weigh?" thread, the coating weight does not compare to basic hull weight differentials of 400 pounds or so.)
The class should at least encourage (if not require) all reasonable modifications that increase safety at sea. I do believe (even with my coated wire) that bare cable falls in that category. I also believe that the lifeline gate enhances ease of man overboard recovery. Weren't all J-30's equipped with a standard gate?
