Skink-
Yeah those 3 deck pieces are a pain. I did mine this way:
-glued them in place BEFORE painting- used putty and CA glue to fill the seams.
-paint thinned flat black with brush. (just add alittle thinner- you don't want gobs of paint)
-next day paint dark tan- thinned and brush painted
-next day- paint a light coat of sand thinned with brush
When all dry- I used various sanding grits in one direction (bow to stern) with heavy attention over the seams...this gives the nice variations of color and looks like worn wood. And the seams were hidden quite well.
I knew if I painted the 3 pieces separately and then glued them in- how the heck would I be able to smooth the seams and keep it looking like wood? My method worked OK.
And as you say- when you add ALL the rigging- no one will even look at the deck!
Len