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I'm considering buying an 11 m 2010 caution mayhem. I don't have any experience with Caution and I'm wondering how this kite may compare - IN TERMS OF POWER - to similar size-wise rebels and rhinos (esp. 2008 models). I need this kite to replace my trashed 2008 rhino 12 m. Do you - caution AND north experts - think that mayhem 11 may deliver noticeably less power than rhino 12, considering 2 years of design advancement and difference between the brands?

Thanks for your advice

Have you tried asking on kiteforum?

I'm sorry... isn't this a General Kiteboarding forum? Am I on a paddle board forum :)?

I ride Caution and am really pleased with the performance. I recommend calling Brendan Richards at Caution to discuss the Mayhem. He helps design the kites and can give you all the ins and outs.
Good luck.

Mayhems are surf-specific kites, although like most kites they are advertised as "good for everything". All good surf kites turn fast, generate power quickly (by diving/turning) and dump power instantly by pushing the bar out. They are not generally very stable for freestyle/unhooked, although this is a big kite, so it's not going to be as twitchy as a 7.

Thus, the Mayhem would be much more similar to a Rebel than a Rhino, and is probably the fastest turning 11M made in 2010.

On the other hand, the only time most people use these kites in the waves is on very light days.

try several kites out and ask several people and see what you like. every person.. including myself will give you a diff answer and one probably leaning toward their kite company affiliations.
Good luck and see you out there!!

I can comment on this as I owned a Caution Mayehm 11m (think it ws a 2009 model?)

Really enjoyed the kite, but to answer your main question - YES, I think you will not find the Mayhem nearly as powerful as your 2008 Rhino.

The 11m I owned felt like it delivered the power of other kite brand 9m sizes I was familiar with (Cabrina Switchblade, Naish Helix, etc).

As someone here noted, the Mayhem, is a high performance surf kite that is designed as such and is meant to be flown aggresively by an experienced rider. By flying it in this way, you can generate a lot of power, but it not just a park at 45 degrees and ride sort of kite.

The more experience you have in surf and riding directions, you learn to use less kite, by generating the power through kite movement.

On the other hand, I found the 11m to be pretty versatile in brinding the gap between owning a 9m and a 12m. It would take a ton of wind (when people where on other 9m, I was having fun on the 11m Mayhem) and when the wind was light I just had to work it more on the Mayhem 11m (when others were fine on their 12m and larger kites).

Have you considered the Zombie? That may be a more all around kite with characteristics you are used to.