If you plan to
race, be aware that (after being previously approved) Dyneema
lifelines have been once again prohibited for certain categories of race. Look at the latest U.S. Sailing and OSF rules.
I switched over to bare 1x19 stainless
lifelines, but before pulling the coated lifelines I stripped off a few feet of the old plastic coating, using a knife and a "shaving" motion. The plastic was still pretty new, so I had no problem taking it off. I discovered that the stainless had surface
corrosion, and some of the fine wires were in bad shape. I would not have wanted to depend on that 7x7 stripped wire. The 1x19 wire has held up great for ten years now, and it looks good for at least a few years more.