In the late '80s we were pretty much all flying with 11-11's, 12-10's, 12-11's, 21-12's. A healthy YS long in a clean airplane with an APC 12-12 was fast! It was quiet too.
A few of us were even flying 12-13's on very light (7-1/2 pound) planes, but engine/pie setup got kinda fussy.

Why not small props at high RPM? They don't pull as well, they make awful noise, and they don't brake downhill as well. Other than that ... not much.
take care,
Dean Pappas