Picked the mechanical one for a similar sand job down in Biloxi last year. The hydraulic ones are nice if you've got thick roots or clay mixed in, but straight sand just wears out the seals faster than it's worth. Mechanical cutterheads handle the grit better and don't have that extra maintenance headache with fluid leaks. You'll lose a little speed on the digging but you'll save time on repairs down the road. Just keep an eye on the teeth and swap them before they get too dull.