Actually the main issue is the speed of the first layer.

I suddenly remembered last week that the main reason I'd bought simplify3d was to get better control of my first layer - and then I promptly forgot all about it :-)

I printed something out on a raft last week - and realised that rafts work so well because they are laid down really really slowly.

So I changed the firsrt layer speed to 10% of print speed. And on pet tape at 60c my main issue now is getting the prints off :-)
Had no aborts since, no bad prints, don't have to recalibrate - just works :-)

So my answer is yes you will need tape, but pet tape goes on easy and only needs changing when you tear it.
Print the first layer very very slowly and it'll stick without any hassle and just work.