Packsail

Welcome to Packsail.com.  This is a story about Tom, my father.  Tom is a disabled war veteran, shot down four times, in Vietnam, while flying a Marine Corps CH46 attempting (successfully) to save the lives of fellow Marines.  That's just the tip of the iceberg.

Dad and I have dreamed about owning the best catamaran ever designed, so we built it, together.

William B. Pack – Technical Trainer, Sailor, and Mentor

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Early Life and Education

Born in Houston, Texas, in 1977, William B. Pack, known as Willie, grew up in East Texas and Southern Florida. A gifted child with a passion for the outdoors and athletics, Willie excelled in various sports from an early age. He played soccer under his parents' coaching, participated in youth baseball leagues, and eventually embraced golf and sailing. By high school, Willie was captain of both his high school and eventually college golf teams. At 15, after working long hours for his father’s small monitor well drilling company, Willie saved enough money to buy his first sailboat, which he often sailed on a local lake in East Texas.

Fueled by his love for the water, Willie earned a congressional nomination to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy on a full scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and a 3rd Mate license, qualifying him to serve as a deck officer on vessels of any size and on any ocean.

During his time at the Academy, Willie spent a year at sea, sailing across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, passing through the Suez and Panama Canals, and crossing the equator for the first time. He also captained the golf team, played libero on the men’s volleyball team, and sailed competitively with the offshore sailing team. Recognized as one of the Academy’s top graduating athletes, Willie received more varsity letters than any of his peers, and while not winning the award, was nominated for the prestigious “Giles C. Stedman” trophy.

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Professional Career

Willie’s passion for the ocean and travel transitioned seamlessly into his career. He joined Navis, a leading software company specializing in terminal operating systems for container ports worldwide. As a project engineer, Willie traveled extensively, implementing Navis’ advanced software tools at some of the most sophisticated container terminals globally.

With nearly three decades of experience in the maritime and logistics industries, Willie has become a seasoned maritime professional, blending technical expertise, leadership, and operational knowledge. Currently a Staff Technical Trainer at Navis, he has spent 12 years with the company, training and mentoring terminal teams across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

Willie specializes in the Navis N4 Terminal Operating System (TOS) with deep proficiency in SQL and XML. He is celebrated for his exceptional public speaking skills and innovative training methods, including the development of the Stack Academy Games, a simulation-based tool that replicates Navis functionality for scalable, immersive learning.

His professional journey also includes a decade in commercial vessel software and a four-year project constructing a 32-foot ocean-racing catamaran. In 2015, Willie fulfilled his father’s lifelong dream by sailing the completed vessel over 1,200 miles across the Gulf of Mexico to the Bahamas. This remarkable journey inspired his memoir, We Built a Boat, which he is actively seeking to publish.

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Mentorship and Philanthropy

Beyond his maritime career, Willie is passionate about mentorship and community involvement. He has coached soccer and golf, fostering teamwork and growth among young athletes. Recently, he began philanthropic efforts, including donating athletic equipment to communities in Africa, providing proper soccer gear to those in need.

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Global Perspective

With extensive international experience and exposure to diverse cultures, Willie brings a global perspective to every project. His leadership, dedication, and technical expertise make him an invaluable asset to organizations focused on operational excellence and personal development.

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Personal Life

When not working, Willie enjoys coaching, sailing, playing soccer, and golf. His life’s journey reflects a deep commitment to adventure, education, and inspiring others to reach their full potential.

Vietnam Veteran, Tom Pack was a Marine Corps helicopter pilot. He flew the CH-46 and was shot down four times in combat during his 13 month tour. Later in life, Tom became a serial entrepreneur and has had many adventurous careers.

Tom loved Shuttleworth Yacht Designs from his research and has wanted to own a Shuttleworth catamaran ever since. He teamed up with his son Willie to buy the drawings and build their dream boat.