Yes it's tapered though not one of my best splices. I could probably make it more streamlined if I pounded it a bit with a mallet. Still, the puka that the 1/2" line feeds into is pretty small on my Lewmar Concept 1 and wouldn't want to count on it feeding properly. Makes a hell of a jam if you don't stop the winch almost immediately if the splice jams. For me it's not a problem as I'm on the foredeck when I'm working the windlass.