Is buying a used yacht through a broker actually worth it in 2026?

So I’ve been crewing on a buddy’s boat for a while, and after a long weekend run where his broker handled literally everything (paperwork, survey, even moorage options), I started thinking… maybe it’s time I stop just daydreaming and actually look at buying my first “real” boat, not another beater.

Budget is around 300k, looking at 40-50 ft, probably something I can use for weekend cruising with the family and the odd longer trip. I’ve been scrolling listings like a maniac late at night and keep ending up on big brokerage sites - HMY Yachts popped up a lot while I was comparing brands and trying to filter by type.

Here’s where I’m stuck: is going through a big broker actually worth the extra cost vs hunting privately, or am I paying for hand-holding I don’t really need? Maybe I’m looking at this the wrong way.

How did you buy your current boat - private sale or broker? Anything you wish you’d done differently? Any red flags with big-name brokerages I should watch for, or ones you’ve had good experiences with?