Category Archives: Map Formats and Support

Map Formats

My Waterway Routes Cruising Maps are the most up do date maps available for the British canals and rivers.  All the maps are available in two formats:

  • Acrobat (pdf) format, and
  • Memory-Map (qct) format

They work on a range of devices including:

  • Androids
  • iPhones/iPads
  • Mac Computers
  • Windows Computers

Acrobat (pdf) Format

The maps in Acrobat (pdf) format are split into pages for printing at A4 or A5 size and for on screen viewing.

Advantages of the Acrobat (pdf) Format

  • The format is well known and supported
  • The software and apps are free and often installed already
  • The maps are split into pages
  • The maps are easy to print A4 or A5
  • The maps are easy to view on screen (a page at a time)

Disadvantages of the Acrobat (pdf) Format

  • There is no GPS tracking on smartphones
  • Requires lots of scrolling on small screens (like phones)
  • There are lots of pages to search and turn through (more than 850 for England & Wales Maps)

Read more about my Acrobat (pdf) format maps and how to install them.

Memory-Map (qct) Format

The maps in Memory-Map (qct) format have all the pages joined into one scrollable map with tracking (like satnav or Google Maps) on GPS enabled devices.

Advantages of the Memory-Map (qct) Format

  • Seamless scrolling through the whole map
  • Zoom in and out, to see more or less of the map
  • GPS tracking (like satnav or Google Maps) on GPS enabled devices
  • No turning through multiple pages
  • Memory-Map (qct) purchases include a free Acrobat (pdf) version of the same map for the best of both options

Disadvantages of the Memory-Map (qct) Format

  • Requires a two stage installation process
  • May require payment for software or app
  • Not ideal for printing (but just use the free Acrobat (pdf) version that comes with each Memory-Map (qct) version).

Read more about my Memory-Map (qct) format maps and how to install them.

Routes Covered

The maps cover the connected navigable waterways.  They are available for

Read more about my maps

Availability and Ordering

All the maps, for canals, rivers and cruising rings, in both Acrobat (pdf) and Memory-Map (qct) formats, can be ordered through this website for download, except for the England & Wales map which is too large to download and is supplied by post on a data DVD.

All the maps for canals, rivers and cruising rings, can also be supplied on CD in a presentation box so they can be wrapped as a gift, or stored for your records.

Maps in Acrobat (pdf) Format

All the Waterway Routes Cruising Maps are available in Acrobat (pdf) format, as well as in Memory-Map (qct) format. The Acrobat (pdf) maps are split into pages, with overlaps between each page.

Advantages of the Acrobat (pdf) Format

  • The format is well known and supported
  • The software and apps are free and often installed already
  • The maps are split into A4 pages
  • The maps are easy to print A4 or A5
  • The maps are easy to view on screen (a page at a time)

Disadvantages of Acrobat (pdf) Format

  • There is no GPS tracking on smartphones
  • Requires lots of scrolling on small screens (like phones)
  • There are lots of pages to search and turn through (more than 900 for England & Wales Maps)

Which devices will the maps work on?

The maps work on almost any computer, phone or tablet which will open Acrobat (pdf) files, including:

How can I check if the maps work on my device?

Download one of the free maps from my website and try that.  If the free map works then the paid for ones will work the same way. You can try these free maps:

Please note

I produce the maps.  I  don’t produce the software or apps to use them, but I explain where to get those from.

Maps in Memory-Map (qct) Format

All the Waterway Routes Cruising Maps are available in Memory-Map (qct) format, as well as in Acrobat (pdf)  format. The Memory-Map (qct) maps have all the pages joined into one seamless map.

Advantages of the Memory-Map (qct) Format

  • Seamless scrolling through the whole map
  • Zoom in and out, to see more or less of the map
  • GPS tracking (like satnav or Google Maps) on GPS enabled devices
  • No turning through multiple pages
  • Memory-Map (qct) purchases include a free Acrobat (pdf) version of the same map for the best of both options

Disadvantages of the Memory-Map (qct) Format

  • Requires a two stage installation process
  • May require payment for software or app
  • Not ideal for printing (but just use the free Acrobat (pdf) version that comes with each Memory-Map (qct) version).

Which devices will the maps work on?

The maps work on almost any computer, phone or tablet with the correct App or Software installed, including:

How can I check if the maps work on my device?

Download one of the free maps from my website and try that.  If the free map works then the paid for ones will work the same way. You can try these free maps:

Please note

I produce the maps.  I  don’t produce the software or apps to use them, but I explain where to get those from.

Maps on Androids

My maps are available in a choice of two formats and both can be used on Androids.  The formats are:

  • Acrobat (pdf), and
  • Memory-Map (qct)

When you purchase one of my maps in Memory-Map (qct) format you also get a free copy of the same map in Acrobat (pdf) format.

Please ensure you test my maps work on your Android, as described below, before purchasing any of my maps.

Please note that I supply the maps, but I do not supply the App to use them which is available separately, as explained below.

Using my Acrobat (pdf) Format Maps on Androids

All my maps are available in Acrobat (pdf) format.  This is a widely used format and it is very likely that you will already have an App on your Android which will open Acrobat (pdf) format maps.

These maps are split into pages, designed for printing at A4 or A5 size.  They can be viewed on screen but there is no smart GPS tracking and you will need to change pages manually as you cruise along.

For further information please see:-

There are other Apps which claim to open Acrobat (pdf) format maps and it is likely that many of them will work with my maps but I have not tested any of them.  Setting up those Apps and using them is likely to involve similar steps to those described for the Acrobat Reader App, above.

Please ensure you test my maps work on your Android using my free Droitwich Canals Map in Acrobat (pdf) format before purchasing any of my maps.

Using my Memory-Map (qct) Format Maps on Androids

All my maps are available in Memory-Map (qct) format.  This is the “Quick Chart” format which is used for mapping products, including some versions of Ordnance Survey maps.  It is sometimes referred to as the “Classic Map” format to distinguish it from the alternative “qc3” format.

These are the same maps as in the Acrobat (pdf) format but they are joined into one large map which you can seamlessly scroll around and zoom in and out.  On devices with GPS they provide smart tracking like Sat-Nav or Google Maps.

There is a choice of two Apps for using my maps on Androids:-

  • Memory-Map App:  This has the best range of features, and it’s the App I use, but it is the most expensive,
  • AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App:  This has a medium range of features at a medium price.

For further information please see:

Please ensure you test my maps work on your Android using my free Droitwich Canals Map in Memory-Map (qct) format before purchasing any of my maps.

Remember, when you purchase one of my maps in Memory-Map (qct) format you also get a free copy of the same map in Acrobat (pdf) format.

Setup Androids with the Acrobat Reader App

Please note that I supply the maps, but not the App to use them. To use the Acrobat (pdf) version of my maps on an Android you will need an appropriate App installed.

This page describes using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App.  There are other Apps that claim to open Acrobat (pdf) format maps and most of them probably work but I have not tested any of them.

Setting up my maps with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App is a three stage process:-

  • Install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App and check that works
  • Install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works
  • Install more of my free or paid-for maps

Installing the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader App

In this step we we will install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App and check that works.

If you already have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App installed and working, or an equivalent you are happy with, then you can proceed straight to the next step to install my free Droitwich Canals map.

Visit Google’s Play Store to download and install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App.

Only proceed to the next step when you have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App installed and working.

Installing my free Droitwich Canals Map

In this step we will install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works. Make sure you have completed the previous step and have the Memory-Map App installed and working first.

Download my free Droitwich Canals Cruising Map in Acrobat (pdf)  format on your Android and note where you have saved it.  You may wish to create a folder for storing maps in.

You can download the map directly to your Android using WiFi or Mobile signals, or you can download it to a computer and transfer it to your Android.

If you need to check where maps are stored on your Android then you may find it helpful to use another App to view the folders and their contents. The free Astro File Manager from Google’s Play Store is very useful for this, but there are many other similar applications which will also help with this.

Open the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App on your Android and use the local tab to navigate to the folder you saved the Droitwich Canals map in, and open the map.

You should now have my free Droitwich Canals map on screen and you can view the map on screen, a page at a time.  Note that the Acrobat (pdf) version of my maps does not have any of the smart scrolling and tracking features that work in the Memory-Map (act) version of my maps.

Using my free Droitwich Canals map with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App allows you to check you can get my maps working on your Android before you spend any money.

Please make sure you test my maps work on your Android and you can conquer the installation process. Only proceed to the next step when you have my free Droitwich Canal map working on your Android.

Installing more of my free or paid-for maps

Once you have the free Droitwich Canals map working on your Android you can repeat the previous step to install more maps.

There are free maps to download from my website for many restoration projects and there are paid-for maps for the open waterways.

Please Remember

I supply the maps and I will provide support for the maps in the unlikely event of any problems.

I do NOT supply the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App. That comes from Adobe, through Google’s Play Store, and you must seek help from Adobe in the event of any problems with their App.

My free Droitwich Canals map allow you to check everything works before you spend any money. Please don’t pay for any maps on my website until you have checked they work on your Android.

Setup Androids with the Memory-Map App

Please note that I supply the maps, but not the App to use them. To use the Memory-Map (qct) version of my maps on an Android you will need an appropriate App installed. There’s a choice of two Apps for use on Androids.

This page covers the Memory-Map App which has the best range of features, but is the most expensive. Another page covers the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App which provides fewer features at a lower price. The Memory-Map (qct) version of my maps works with each of these  Apps.

Setting up my maps with the Memory-Map App is a three stage process:-

  • Install the Memory-Map App and check that works
  • Install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works
  • Install more of my free or paid-for maps

Installing the Memory-Map App

In this step we we will install the Memory-Map App and check that works.

Visit Google’s Play Store to download and install the Memory-Map App.

This comes with free sample maps. Make sure the Memory-Map App runs on your Android and displays the free maps. If you have any problems getting the Memory-Map App running then please seek support from Memory-Map who produce the App. The Memory-Map support pages are very helpful.

Only proceed to the next step when you have the Memory-Map App installed and working.

Installing my free Droitwich Canals Map

In this step we will install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works. Make sure you have completed the previous step and have the Memory-Map App installed and working first.

Download my free Droitwich Canals Cruising Map in Memory-Map (qct) format on your Android.

It is essential you save the map into the Download\Memory-Map folder on your Android. This is the same folder on your Android as the free sample maps that came with the Memory-Map App are saved in. You may be able to download the map directly into that folder, or you may have to download it elsewhere and move it into that folder when the download is complete.

You can download the map directly to your Android using WiFi or Mobile signals, or you can download it to a computer and transfer it to your Android.

If you need to check where maps are stored on your Android then you may find it helpful to use another App to view the folders and their contents. The free Astro File Manager from Google’s Play Store is very useful for this, but there are many other similar applications which will also help with this.

Open the Memory-Map App on your Android and it should show one of the free sample maps that came with the App you installed in the first stage.

On the toolbar at the top of the screen select the “Maps” Icon (a set of stacked squares) to bring up the map menu. Use the “Map Types” button to ensure type “Cruising” is ticked and use the “More Maps” button to select “All Maps on Device”.

You should now see my free Droitwich Canals map listed. All my map names start with “WR” (for Waterway Routes) so they will be near the end of an alphabetical list. Select the map and it will start to load.

Somewhere during the last few steps (it will vary depending on which version of the App you have) you will be asked to enable the “Classic Map Compatibility Option” and offered a free trial. Select the free trial.

You should now have my free Droitwich Canals map on screen and you can scroll around and zoom in and out in the usual way. If you are near Droitwich the GPS tracking will work too.

At the end of the free trial for the “Classic Map Compatibility” option you will be asked for payment if you wish to continue using the App. If you choose not to make payment then the App will no longer work with my maps. That payment is collected by Memory-Map to cover their costs for developing and supporting the App and none of it comes to me.

Using my free Droitwich Canals map with the free trial of the Classic Map Compatibility option in the Memory-Map App allows you to check you can get my maps working on your Android before you spend any money.

Please make sure you test my maps work on your Android and you can conquer the installation process. Only proceed to the next step when you have my free Droitwich Canal map working on your Android.

Installing more of my free or paid-for maps

Once you have the free Droitwich Canals map working on your Android you can repeat the previous step to install more maps.

There are free maps to download from my website for many restoration projects and there are paid-for maps for the open waterways.

Please Remember

I supply the maps and I will provide support for the maps in the unlikely event of any problems.

I do NOT supply the Memory-Map App. That comes from Memory-Map, through Google’s Play Store, and you must seek help from Memory-Map in the event of any problems with their App.

My free Droitwich Canals map and the free trial of the App allow you to check everything works before you spend any money. Please don’t pay for any maps on my website until you have checked they work on your Android.

Setup Androids with the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App

Please note that I supply the maps, but not the App to use them. To use the Memory-Map (qct) version of my maps on an Android you will need an appropriate App installed. There’s a choice of two Apps for use on Androids.

This page covers the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App which has a medium range of features at a medium price. The Memory-Map App provides the best range of features, but  at a larger price.

Setting up my maps with the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App is a three stage process

  • Install the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App and check that works
  • Install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works
  • Install more of my free or paid-for maps

Installing the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App

In this step we we will install the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App and check that works.

Visit Google’s Play Store to download and install the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App. Note this is the full version of the App, not the “Lite” version.

This comes with free sample maps. Make sure the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App runs on your Android and displays the free maps. If you have any problems getting the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App running then please seek support from AlpineQuest who produce the App.

Only proceed to the next step when you have the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App installed and working.

Installing my free Droitwich Canals Map

In this step we will install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works. Make sure you have completed the previous step and have the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App installed and working first.

Download my free Droitwich Canals Cruising Map in Memory-Map (qct) format on your Android.

You can save this in any folder on your Android, but remember where as we will need it later.

If you are also using the Memory-Map App, or considering using it in the future, then it is helpful to save it in the Download\Memory-Map folder on your Android so it can be used by both Apps. You may be able to download the map directly into that folder, creating it if you don’t already have the Memory-Map App installed, or you may have to download it elsewhere and move it into that folder when the download is complete.

You can download the map directly to your Android using WiFi or Mobile signals, or you can download it to a computer and transfer it to your Android .

If you need to check where maps are stored on your Android then you may find it helpful to use another app to view the folders and their contents. The free Astro File Manager from Google’s Play Store is very useful for this, but there are many other similar applications which will also help with this.

Open the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App. Select the “Map” icon (the second icon on the toolbar at the bottom showing a zig-zag folded map), then Available Maps. Navigate to the Download\Memory-Map folder, or wherever you saved my Droitwich Canals Map, and select the map to load it.

Please make sure you test my maps work on your Android and you can conquer the installation process. Only proceed to the next step when you have my free Droitwich Canal map working on your Android .

Installing more of my free or paid-for maps

Once you have the free Droitwich Canals map working on your Android you can repeat the previous step to install more maps.

There are free maps to download from my website for many restoration projects and there are paid-for maps for the open waterways.

Please Remember

I supply the maps and I will provide support for the maps in the unlikely event of any problems.

I do NOT supply the AlpineQuest GPS Hiking App. That comes from AlpineQuest, through Google’s Play Store, and you must seek help from AlpineQuest in the event of any problems with their App.

My free Droitwich Canals map allows you to check everything works before you purchase any of my maps. Please don’t pay for any maps on my website until you have checked they work on your Android .

Maps on iPhones/iPads

My maps are available in a choice of two formats and both can be used on iPhones/iPads.  The formats are:

  • Acrobat (pdf), and
  • Memory-Map (qct)

When you purchase one of my maps in Memory-Map (qct) format you also get a free copy of the same map in Acrobat (pdf) format.

Please ensure you test my maps work on your iPhone/iPad, as described below, before purchasing any of my maps.

Please note that I supply the maps, but I do not supply the App to use them which is available separately, as explained below.

Using my Acrobat (pdf) Format Maps on iPhones/iPads

All my maps are available in Acrobat (pdf) format.  This is a widely used format and it is very likely that you will already have an App on your iPhone/iPad which will open Acrobat (pdf) format maps.

These maps are split into pages, designed for printing at A4 or A5 size.  They can be viewed on screen but there is no smart GPS tracking and you will need to change pages manually as you cruise along.

For further information please see:-

There are other Apps which claim to open Acrobat (pdf) format maps and it is likely that many of them will work with my maps but I have not tested any of them.  Setting up those Apps and using them is likely to involve similar steps to those described for the Acrobat Reader App, above.

Please ensure you test my maps work on your iPhone/iPad using my free Droitwich Canals Map in Acrobat (pdf) format before purchasing any of my maps.

Using my Memory-Map (qct) Format Maps on Mac Computers

All my maps are available in Memory-Map (qct) format.  This is the “Quick Chart” format which is used for mapping products, including some versions of Ordnance Survey maps.  It is sometimes referred to as the “Classic Map” format to distinguish it from the alternative “qc3” format.

These are the same maps as in the Acrobat (pdf) format but they are joined into one large map which you can seamlessly scroll around and zoom in and out.  On devices with GPS they provide smart tracking like Sat-Nav or Google Maps.

There is just one App for using my maps on iPhones/iPads:-

  • Memory-Map App:  This has a good range of features, but payment is required to use it.

For further information please see:

Please ensure you test the maps work on your iPhone/iPad using my free Droitwich Canals Map in Memory-Map (qct) format before purchasing any of my maps.

Remember, when you purchase one of my maps in Memory-Map (qct) format you also get a free copy of the same map in Acrobat (pdf) format.

Setup iPhones/iPads with the Adobe Acrobat Reader App

Please note that I supply the maps, but not the App to use them. To use the Acrobat (pdf) version of my maps on an Android you will need an appropriate App installed.

This page describes using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App.  There are other Apps that claim to open Acrobat (pdf) format maps and most of them probably work but I have not tested any of them.

Setting up my maps with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App is a three stage process:-

  • Install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App and check that works
  • Install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works
  • Install more of my free or paid-for maps

Installing the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader App

In this step we we will install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App and check that works.

If you already have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App installed and working, or an equivalent you are happy with, then you can proceed straight to the next step to install my free Droitwich Canals map.

Visit the App Store from your iPhone/iPad and install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App.

Only proceed to the next step when you have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App installed and working.

Installing my free Droitwich Canals Map

In this step we will install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works. Make sure you have completed the previous step and have the Memory-Map App installed and working first.

Download my free Droitwich Canals Cruising Map in Acrobat (pdf)  format on your iPhone/iPad and note where you have saved it.  You may wish to create a folder for storing maps in.

You can download the map directly to your iPhone/iPad using WiFi or Mobile signals, or you can download it to a computer and transfer it to your iPhone/iPad.

Open the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App on your iPhone/iPad and use the local tab to navigate to the folder you saved the Droitwich Canals map in, and open the map.

You should now have my free Droitwich Canals map on screen and you can view the map on screen, a page at a time.  Note that the Acrobat (pdf) version of my maps does not have any of the smart scrolling and tracking features that work in the Memory-Map (act) version of my maps.

Using my free Droitwich Canals map with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App allows you to check you can get my maps working on your iPhone/iPad before you spend any money.

Please make sure you test my maps work on your iPhone/iPad and you can conquer the installation process. Only proceed to the next step when you have my free Droitwich Canal map working on your Android.

Installing more of my free or paid-for maps

Once you have the free Droitwich Canals map working on your iPhone/iPad you can repeat the previous step to install more maps.

There are free maps to download from my website for many restoration projects and there are paid-for maps for the open waterways.

Please Remember

I supply the maps and I will provide support for the maps in the unlikely event of any problems.

I do NOT supply the free Adobe Acrobat Reader App. That comes from Adobe, through Apple’s App Store, and you must seek help from Adobe in the event of any problems with their App.

My free Droitwich Canals map allow you to check everything works before you spend any money. Please don’t pay for any maps on my website until you have checked they work on your iPhone/iPad.