You shouldn't have any problems with the Sportsman. Just make sure you have it in 4 x 4 before you get in the sand. I go to the dunes in OK with another family, all sportsmans, and have a blast. FYI, when you get a sportsman stuck in the sand it is buried fast.

 

No paddles needed.
We ride in the Pismo dunes my sp800 does just fine not a hill I can't get up w/ stock tires.
Before my son got the 500 Scramy he had a 325 Mag with stock tires he kept up just fine.
Use 4x4 and don't stop on an up hill

 

if you put paddles in the rear and engaged 4wd wouldn't that be bad???

 

It might not be too good.
When i put my tracks on the back and wheels on the front, my sp800 does some wird things. when i run in this configuration I only put it in 4x4 when I get in a bind.