I prefer the Lake Cowichan way hands down....with or without the boat in tow. So far this summer I have done the Cowichan route about 15 times and the other way twice. All except the first time without the boat. I find the Sooke route a total grind and a harder overall drive and really slow with traffic at times. The lane heading to Sooke from Renfrew is terrible along the edge and I usually spend most of the time in the middle....except on blind spots of course��. The cowichan route has been paved for about 8 years now. The first part out of Meshachie Lake is wide with more straight sections. The middle is a typical west coast road with a few single lane bridges that are marked well. Once you come down the hill past Lizard lake you are on the original paved section which has lots of "whoops" on it and best to drive a little slower for the last 10km or so. I also find it a little more scenic cutting across the Island.....not that there aren't some beautiful spots coming from the other way just different....imo
