Small leak possible steering shaft

[Fippe]

Hello,

I have a 2400scr from 97 with alpha one gen 2 out drive,
This summer it started leaking after a workshop changed all bellows,
Whent back and they told me it's the steering shaft that's leaking,
The total amount of water that has leaked in to the boat is about 1-2l liters over a period of almost 4 months,
The only time it's leaking is when engine is on but we are standing still and water bubbling up or when we are many people on board so the bot is rear heavy.

The workshops tells me that to fix this there's two ways and both of them cost about 3000$
I have come to an understanding that owning a boat is never sheep, but it feels like a lot of money for a small amount of water,

Is it neseserly to fix the leek at once or can I use the boat for another season?