If you're planning any ocean races, then you have no choice -- you must used non-coated wire.

The current standard was developed to allow for inspection -- though I personally don't think it really does protect much because:

i) Not having vinyl coating makes the passage of the lifelines at the stanchions less protected from abrasion; ii) The problem is at the terminal fittings-- where you really won't see much that you don't see now. If you use swagged fittings -- it's in the swagged fittings that the issue is; and, iii) I just don't like sliding my hands along unprotected wire.

You can solve the protection issue by having the lifelines provided with a length of heat shrink which you can clip and place to provide some protection at each stanchion can be, slid into position, trimmed, and then heated to stay in place.