I was pulling up an anchor line on the boat and something in my side snapped. It was a quick, sharp pain. Now it feels tender to the touch and when bending but not extremely painful. Do you think it is a lower rib or a muscle tear?

Hi,
Only a healthcare professional who examines you can make a diagnosis.
I can tell you that symptoms of a fractured rib include pain when you take a deep breath or pain that gets worse when you press on the injured area, or when you bend or twist your body. An x-ray or CT scan would need to be done to confirm the presence of a fracture. A pulled or torn muscle can happen by overexertion. With a first degree muscle strain you will notice mild pain and not much lose of strength or range of motion..
If the pain has lasted more than 24 hours, call your doctor. If it is a fractured rib, you need an x-ray. If it is a muscle strain, your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. On exam, it is important to establish whether the muscle is partially or completely torn (which can involve much longer healing, possible surgery, and a more complicated recovery).
Maryann