The mast end fitting of my Kenyon boom has a too-small hole which the reef line must pass through. It is a major pain to get the end through, even without tape. I whip all ends of all of my running rigging, and I usually include a "messenger loop" on each whipping for the purpose of reeving lines. I use 1/8" nylon cord for messengers, which I connect to the messenger loop with a bowline and no tape. Tape adds bulk and stiffness, which can lead to unnecessary jamming of lines at sheaves and tight passages.