I start with a ply sub deck, usually 1/16" (1.5mm) mark the centre line and work out from there. The planks can then be as thin as you like. I use black paper to represent the caulking (cartridge paper at larger scales), gluing several planks to the paper and cutting then off when the glue is dry. I haven't tried joggling yet, I just butt then to the bulwarks. I separate the plank joins by 3 or 4 planks. This looks OK to me.
HTH
Doug