Hi Gord,

So thinking about planar wooden plank flooring for a home, the feature to engrave would be approximately a "vee" groove.
The groove could have the three angles slightly rounded.
So come up with the desired profile of the "vee".

Draw the desired plank edges on the curve as slightly curved line curves. The Iso command may be helpful.
The Unwrap script will make these curves into same length lines.
Sweep the profile "vee" along the lines.
Use Flow to map the "vee" lines back onto the curved deck.

- Brian

Or just sweep the "vee" profile along the deck Iso-line curves...
Then trim or Boolean diff.