I race, had an old boat...changed out lifelines with no signs of aging or rust or anything else, why, cause it was TIME - (trust me - they were old)..I replaced with new vinyl coated and all new swages cause i figured the next people might be cruisers and not know the difference. New boat has wire - guess what..at the 5 year point the lowers are going to be replaced - even if they do not look like they need it - why? Maintenance..