:Because I cut the
: recess perpendicular to the deck rather than straight
: up-and-down
I'm not quite sure what you mean here. If you followed Nick I assume you mean that are stripping at right angles to the deck strips. If so then your odd angles are where these strips meet the deck strips. If I understand correctly, then I suggest the following. Shape your strip ends on a belt sander (mounted upside down in a vice or similar - fine belt). Use instant glue to glue them on. Sand and fit often, a little bit at a time. If the joints are terrible do a bit of inlay work over them if you can. A very sharp knife and a fine chisel come in handy. Mark out along the seam either side to the width of a flexible piece of wood that you will inlay later, cut along the inside of the lines and remove the wood between the lines to a consistent depth. You don't need much depth (1-2 mm). Glue in flexible piece of wood and when dry sand/plane flush. If it is difficult to get around the front of the recess split your strip in half and bend each piece separately or use a heat gun or steam and bend.
JohnK

: So, I finished my deck and have cut out a recessed cockpit hole per
: the plans in Nick's book. After putting in about 8 of the recess
: strips, I'm finding it pretty tough going.... ,
I'm having to plane some pretty odd angles for each
: cross strip - the full length ones are a major pain. Plus,
: taking a precise end off of edge grain is also hard, even with a
: very sharp low-angle block plane.

: Is there some trick to fitting the cockpit recess strips, or do I
: just need to cowboy up and do the work? Despite my best efforts,
: my joints are a bit ragged here and there so I'm also now
: concerned with appearance. Is laying some tape down and covering
: a bad seam with an accent "strip" of dookie an option?
: Any experience or guidance is appreciated.