Coated shrouds or plain?

I just purchased a 1986 14.2 as my first sailboat, the forestay has a couple of kinks and I have no idea of the condition of the shrouds. I called Catalina to try to order with a credit card and they said they don't take orders by phone, mail it. So I checked a sail shop as I could have them within a week. I contacted a Dallas sail shop about having new shrouds and a forestay built.
They told me it was a bad idea to use cable with a coating as you can't see problems with the cable. He even called it unsafe and said no one is doing that anymore, besides the sail should not be touching the shrouds. Well I'm new at this (I have a sailing lesson scheduled next weekend) so I don't know. My shrouds also have a short section of what appears to be pvc pipe on them, is this factory or an addition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Mark

The shrouds are raked back to eliminate the need for a backstay, so you will find that your main does contact and press against the shrouds when you are running before the wind. The PVC is not factory. Perhaps you may want to post a picture so you can get opinions as the purpose of the PVC.

Unless Catalina has changed their ordering procedure, you should be able to fax them your order with credit card number. How quickly they get you the parts is the question. My experience is sometimes fast and sometimes slow.

Thanks for the response

That makes sense, I guess I will be patient and order from Catalina. Here is a picture of the pvc on my shroud. As I looked at it I understand what its purpose is however I don't have a clue as to what its called. My picture is not the best (it was too bright to see the viewfinder clearly) but the pvc slides down to cover the bottom of the shroud and the metal it attatches to. The cap is split so it can be put on a prebuilt shroud. I'm going sailing on a Flying Scot next weekend, so the wait won't be too dificult.

Mark