So since elementary is based on Ubuntu 16.04 would it be possible to turn it back into Ubuntu but keep all my data then upgrade to 17?

Would it be possible?
- yes
Would it be worth the time spent?
- no
Would it be better to make a partition to dump data on then install ubuntu 17 then grab data back?
- yes

Whenever you do such thing it's always a good thing to make a backup just in case though.
- yes

Was that not a question?
- yes

@rootshell <-- basically what he said

In theory, yes

In practicality... Well... @rootshell knows what's up