Where can I find clear, simple visual instructions on how to set the
lines,ie.rigging, on a 17 foot Hobie Catboat?

I have been searching, and found several online sites about the Hobie
Catboat.  Most however, recomended one particular site which was the
Coatboat Association (which basically had alot of information a
Catboat enthusiast might enjoy).  They have a page where they sell
printed material, one of which is called "The Catboat and How To Sail
Her".  That would be located here:

http://www.catboats.org/cbapubs.htm

If you have already tried this manual and found it confusing, then
sorry for wasting your time.  Good luck on the boat. =)

If by "simple visual instructions" you accept videos, take a look at
http://www.hobiecat.com/cats/partset.html 
Assembly Instructions  $5.00 
plus $3.85 U.S. Priority Mail (in USA)
for product 50450001 H17 Assembly

You may probably need to pause the video more than once!!

You can assembled your catamaran by taking a look a photos, some of
even from the Parts catalog
http://www.hobiecat.com/parts/02_Catalog.pdf ( 3 Mb ).

Take a look at the links section of 
www.hobiecat.com.ar which includes de catamaran e-zine ,
www.catsailor.com , and others.

Contact mike@hobiecat.com.ar if you need further assistance. I've
checked with him and although he owns a Hobie 18, they're pretty much
alike, and he'll be glad to help you.

Curepi

You can see the rigging schematics incl line type and length at the
Hobie Cat illustrated part guides ( the last part of the HC catalog,
also available as a download from the web
http://www.hobiecat.com/parts/02_Catalog.pdf .
The last illustration concerning a HC17 entitled H17 sport front
crossbar shows jib lines arrangement . Two paragraphs above it you can
see the main line schematic. On the left you can see the downhaul (
also called Cunningham ).

I'm not quite sure the difference between HC17 and HC17Sport
There's a slight difference between pre-1994 HC17's and post 1994.
Usually above the drain housing you can see the serial number.

Which year is your's ?

With this info, the solution is pretty easy.
Good winds,
Curepi

http://www.hobiecat.com/partguides/h1704d.jpg for jib lines
http://www.hobiecat.com/partguides/h1704d.jpg for main lines
http://www.hobiecat.com/parts/02_Catalog.pdf ( page 38 ) for main
block

If you added a Spi , there are multiple line arrangements possible.
It is possible to single handle the 3 sails in low winds in a HC17. It
adds a new dimension of fun in low winds.

Enjoy your sailing
Search strategy:
"hobie cat manual" in www.google.com

Curepi