What you have been doing is not minimal effort! You've been putting lots of quality work into these and it shows.
I've just been painting the masts, cross beams and putting a wash on the sails. That's minimal effort. But...your statement is quite accurate. This minimal level of effort has a huge positive impact on how the mini looks.
When I get my wave 2 ships in, I fully plan on doing one of the heavy frigates up Hollywood pirate style and you have been the inspiration. I've never rigged a ship before and I just might go for it. I'm thinking on going for the Royal Fortune look you did as I really like that. It's going to have the ratlines and just maybe the rigging. When I do my demos, I want to have three levels of detail so prospective players can see the flexibility of options
1) Factory stock
2) Minimal level = masts, sails washed and maybe ratlines. I might do minimal level with and without ratlines.
3) All out = hull detail, masts, sails washed, ratlines, and rigging.