I recently got my first boat! A 14 ft aluminum Jon boat with a v- hull! When I try to mount the trolling motor on the front, I have to put it a little off to the right side of the front of the boat. When I do that the steering seems to go all out of whack. But it works perfectly fine when I put it on the back of the boat. Any reasoning for this? Any troubleshooting. I feel like it's because the water is being pushed right into the side of the boat or something, does the motor just need to be straight on? Or further below the boat? 

Explain what you mean by "the steering goes all out of whack". 

Mounting shouldn't matter whether it's mounted to the right or left. I assume this is a hand controlled motor?

Centered gives the best tracking at the transom and bow.

No "trouble shooting" required, simple physics.

31 minutes ago, riverbasser said:

Explain what you mean by "the steering goes all out of whack". 

Mounting shouldn't matter whether it's mounted to the right or left. I assume this is a hand controlled motor?

It is hand controlled. And it's like the boat itself won't respond to the actual direction I am trying to steer it. Or I'll turn slightly and it will magnify the turn 100x and I end up spinning in circles 

Perhaps a picture could help diagnose the situation a little better.

As for the TM's depth - usually at least 12 inches under the surface for decent steerage - and a little more if possible for even better results.

A-Jay

I feel like this would be an easy problem to figure out in person, there isn't too much it could be.

as A-jay said pics would help

Are you putting a transom unit on your bow?

What Kevin22 sezs

Here are pics of it on the bow. Yes it is backwards in this picture but I unscrewed and spun the head of the trolling motor so it was facing the correct way when I took it out. That is just about where it was on the boat.

I understood your original post and replied accordingly.

3 hours ago, Wayne P. said:

I understood your original post and replied accordingly.

Arent you just brilliant.

You might consider removing the cleat and making a mounting bracket so you can get it centered on the bow. But i suspect most of the problem is that your shaft isnt long enough. 

Simple fix, add a rudder to the rear.