OCEAN to BEACH

[Tomato]

Went from a 6.1 Beach to a 6.1 Coast 4motion, didnt like camping for more than one or two nights, dont plan on going to campsites, dont like setting up camp anyway in the rain and only have one child and one dog so I get downstairs to myself, plus wanted a fridge and a freezer and a wooden floor rather than carpet…we arrive and within 7 seconds we’re ready to enjoy a drink. Breakfast can be cooked at all hours in all weathers. Handy too at Castle Combe or Goodwood…

But we all have different needs from the options we choose - whether family life options or £15,000 pounds of Cali options

 

[subthree]

That’s just beyond belief! Was the delivery driver Lister as in from Red Dwarf?

Our original T6 order was minutes from arriving at the dealer, in October 2019, when the delivery driver didn't notice an overhanging tree. Our van was on the top deck of the transporter. Most of the offside of our van wiped out. Awning ripped off its fixings and went through the windscreen of the new VW Transporter which was behind our Cali.

The big result was a 6.1 but at the discounted T6 price - nearly 20% off list.

 

[OGII]

The Beach v Ocean....here we go again.

There is no Beach vs Ocean. Just Beach or Ocean. Both great options. One for people who cook in kitchens and one for BBQ cooks.

 

[66tim99]

Well worth adding the reversing camera and I don’t see a parking heater, definitely a must have IMHO. One thing I found to help out which I didn’t spec is the auto parking which got me into a space yesterday I was sure wouldn’t fit, but was the last parking space in a touristy spot.

First time I’ve read of that being useful

 

[66tim99]

Went from a 6.1 Beach to a 6.1 Coast 4motion, didnt like camping for more than one or two nights, dont plan on going to campsites, dont like setting up camp anyway in the rain and only have one child and one dog so I get downstairs to myself, plus wanted a fridge and a freezer and a wooden floor rather than carpet…we arrive and within 7 seconds we’re ready to enjoy a drink. Breakfast can be cooked at all hours in all weathers. Handy too at Castle Combe or Goodwood…

But we all have different needs from the options we choose - whether family life options or £15,000 pounds of Cali options

What freezer do you use?

 

[BeagleMum]

I think most people who buy Beaches have had Oceans first. You have to live with them for a bit to figure out the kitchen thing makes little sense for most people.

We thought we wanted an Ocean, then we realised we didn’t want a wardrobe, and a tiny sink. Once we saw all the extra space and huge bed in the 4 seater Beach we knew it was for us, went straight for the Beach definitely been the right choice for us, it’ll be 3 next month, it’s been brilliant.

 

[Borris]

Nice. I’ve had my Beach Camper for 6 months now and haven’t used the pop hob. Would rather have the extra storage pockets now.

Did you add a rear camera?

Nice though it is, I have pondered the worth of that stove. I suspect that like us, most Beach owners usually prefer cooking outside or failing that going down the pub. Also when we are touring the rear bed often stays down and in that position the pop up stove (if we had one), couldn't be used.

 

[paul_f]

Nice though it is, I have pondered the worth of that stove..

I thought it would be useful in winter on day trips for cups of tea, but not much use whilst camping as a family of 4+dog

 

[66tim99]

Nice though it is, I have pondered the worth of that stove. I suspect that like us, most Beach owners usually prefer cooking outside or failing that going down the pub. Also when we are touring the rear bed often stays down and in that position the pop up stove (if we had one), couldn't be used.

We want to camp in all weathers, and be able to pull up and hole up with the ability to cook and wash wherever we are. We’ve loved that in my dads old T5 and in Oceans we’ve hired, we can be totally self sufficient over night wherever we are. We’ll often cook outside when we can, but that kitchen will be used despite the small size and the upholstery!

 

[2haw]

Yeah, if you love tea and coffee and winter walks, the stove would be useful.

I find the shelf the most useful part and often use it whilst getting a takeaway.

 

[TwoDogs]

I think most people who buy Beaches have had Oceans first. You have to live with them for a bit to figure out the kitchen thing makes little sense for most people.

I don't normally bother to comment on Beach vs Ocean (each to their own), but that second sentence is one of the most spectacularly stupid things anyone has said on the subject.

 

[Joker 1299]

I don’t get it either. I bought an Ocean because that’s what I wanted. If you bought a Beach, presumably, you did so because that’s what you wanted. I cant imagine that Beach owners aspire to having an Ocean any more than I can imagine Ocean owners aspiring to having a Beach. There are similar threads on Porsche forums on Cayman vs 911

 

[BeagleMum]

I thought it would be useful in winter on day trips for cups of tea, but not much use whilst camping as a family of 4+dog

That’s an interesting observation. We are 2 + 2 dogs if we need to make a drink inside, which is rare for us, we manage fine with a small table contacted to the rail and the Alpha Brukit.
With 4 you would find a benefit in keeping boiling water in flasks to speed up the process, you may find it more useful for you then?

 

[CALI FATE]

I presume you cook outside at home as well?

haha - yes often ......... we have a stove set up in the van for teas / coffees / soups etc - and toast - but prefer cooking outside

 

[andyinluton]

Nice though it is, I have pondered the worth of that stove. I suspect that like us, most Beach owners usually prefer cooking outside or failing that going down the pub. Also when we are touring the rear bed often stays down and in that position the pop up stove (if we had one), couldn't be used.

Funnily enough I haven’t ’t found that a built in kitchen stops us going to the pub or cooking outside, but have on numerous occasions been extremely grateful to have a full set of cooking facilities inside the van.

 

[JG220]

I don't normally bother to comment on Beach vs Ocean (each to their own), but that second sentence is one of the most spectacularly stupid things anyone has said on the subject.

Spectacularly or not, on the albeit small sample I've discussed this with, it is a common experience.

If you are new to camper vans, Oceans make sense. On paper they make sense. If you think about how you might use it, the dreams of the open road, the freedom, the flexibility, the idea is easily sold. I know this, because I was in this very position. I bought an Ocean and I loved it.

The point I'm making is that it is only once you've done two dozen trips that you get into a pattern, and realise what works and what doesn't and again in the community of people with whom we've camped, there is a common realisation that space is better than the kitchen. Of course this is an individual choice, but it doesn't change the fact that I am correct is saying there are people that go from Ocean to Beach, because on paper, when you think about camping in a van the beach doesn't ignite the imagination like an Ocean does. Practice though is all together different.

 

[JG220]

Funnily enough I haven’t ’t found that a built in kitchen stops us going to the pub or cooking outside, but have on numerous occasions been extremely grateful to have a full set of cooking facilities inside the van.

You can still do that on the pop out stove If you really had to.

 

[JG220]

I had not meant for this to be a Beach vs Ocean igniting debate, I didn't know there was such a thing. I can see how my first post may have poked at the hornets nest somewhat.

It was more a celebration of the Ocean, it truly was exceptional and the anticipation of a new one.

 

[bob_summers]

I had not meant for this to be a Beach vs Ocean igniting debate, I didn't know there was such a thing. I can see how my first post may have poked at the hornets nest somewhat.

It was more a celebration of the Ocean, it truly was exceptional and the anticipation of a new one.

neither did I when i started my own ocean v beach thread in spring! I genuinely had no idea people were so precious but then i guess it’s just another iphone vs android, campagnolo vs shimano etc!

but it’s also informative. as mentioned i’m not 100% sure we did the right thing ordering an Ocean - 10 months is a long time to be wondering that!

 

[Borris]

We want to camp in all weathers, and have the ability to pull up and hole up with the ability to cook and wash wherever we are. We’ve loved that in my dads old T5 and in Oceans we’ve hired you can be totally self sufficient over night wherever we are. We’ll often cook outside when we can, but that kitchen will be used despite the small size and the upholstery.

That's great.

However, if it's come back to the same old debate, it's worth stating that the only thing you are gaining are built-in facilities which do themselves compromise the overall flexibility of your vehicle. You would be able to do all of the above in a Beach without loss of valuable space or that all important flexibility.

The bed is much bigger. The storage is adaptable so can be bespoke to your precise needs. The sloshing up can be done inside or out in a full sized collapsible bowl instead of a tiny sink. There's no need to lug grey water around. The fridge can be what ever you choose but if it's a compressor fridge it will also freeze by design not accident, be portable and run off both 12v and 240v supplies. As for cooking in the van, well there's nothing stopping you from doing that in a Beach either. You may have to go to the boot first but that is a small price to pay for the added flexibility.



Obviously, it comes down to personal choice however if that choice involves owning an Ocean, Coast or SE, the extra complexities of those models can sometimes come back and bite you in the @r$€. The Beach doesn't have anything built in so any issues are much more easily and cheaply resolved and don't involve the vehicle itself. This also means that the vehicle will be lighter, more problem free and therefore cheaper to run long term.

So being self contained in all weathers really isn't the sole preserve of the SE/Ocean or Coast owner. You can be just as comfortable in a Beach, only with more space and you won't spend all your time worrying about software glitches or roof problems either.

 

[Pollewop]

one thing I regret about the BEACH is that I would have liked the red bellows again. they looked fab and regularly got positive comments.

The red bellows LOOK great, but you'll better be an "early riser" When the sun is up it's so bright inside you'll have to wear sunglasses

 

[JG220]

I didn't sleep up there, the kids did

 

[Borris]

I don't normally bother to comment on Beach vs Ocean (each to their own), but that second sentence is one of the most spectacularly stupid things anyone has said on the subject.

I disagree.

"I think most people who buy Beaches have had Oceans first. You have to live with them for a bit to figure out the kitchen thing makes little sense for most people."

The only thing I would question is the word "most" in both sentences. I would prefer to see the word "some" instead.

I have owned both side by side and what @JG220 has said is very true in my case. Also judging by the number of "Never cooked in" adverts in the Cali's for Sale section I doubt if I'm the only one either.

 

[GrannyJen]

Depends on what you buy the van for.

If it's to be almost anywhere at anytime then I would have found it exceedingly difficult to cook outside when the snow was up to the windows.

 

[Joker 1299]

FFS…