Taking a 42 lightning triple and turning it to a twin
 

Pros and cons of just pulling the center engine and running the boat as a twin. Not making it staggered just simply pull the center engine and run the boat as a twin. Any mph and Hp numbers?

Yes it will be a dog. It will sit heavy in the back, will not take waves good, hard on drives.................

Waist of time,,,, no one will want it ( including yourself)
If you want to upgrade it,,, remove the motors, drives ,,, and sell it all

Then find a good used pair of 1075, w #6 drives,,, you will love the performance,,,,,,, it all comes down to money,,, and how much you want to keep the boat,,,
of course the other option is to
Sell the boat,, and find the power package you want in another water craft


Good luck

Read the TRL thread on how to spend $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$?$$$$$$$$$$$ on drives with little gain .

Did they actually make a twin stepped boat 1998 ish without being staggered?

yes, they did.. I have a big step '98 Side by side, the cockpit is about 2' bigger as the bulkhead is moved back on a factory side by side boat, I love the extra room & it performs great, I believe the motors would be closer together on mine vs a factory triple set up (with center removed)

Great looking boat
What the power and mph? Thanks for the input

My buddy has a twin step side by side 42, it runs and rides great. I'm sure stagger would be a little better but so is a 47. As far as engine centers, who cares? I had to move mine out to 35.5" to fit my 604" tall decks with stainless marine manifolds.

Motors Started out as 540 Bulldogs, now 557's , made right around 700 on dyno
Runs 90, Might have more in it if I started messing with drive heights

I have always liked your boat. Looks good.